章節 16: New School Year
The halls of Gotham Prep buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as students returned for the first day of 11th grade. Maggie Wayne walked alongside Jason. Maggie had opted for a fresh look for her first day, hoping that a change would give her the confidence she needed. Her new hairstyle—a shoulder-length cut with soft layers and side-swept bangs—felt lighter, like shedding old weight. The look was different, but she hoped it made her feel like a new version of herself, someone who could move forward despite everything.
"Hey, you good?" Jason asked, nudging her gently as they navigated the crowded hallway.
She took a deep breath, managing a small smile. "Yeah… I think so.
As they made their way to their lockers, Maggie spotted two familiar faces making their way toward her. Emily and Stephanie, her two closest friends, lit up with excitement as they caught sight of her.
"Maggie!" Emily called, practically bouncing as she hurried over. "I love your hair! You look amazing!"
Stephanie nodded in agreement, pulling her into a quick hug. "Seriously, Mags, the new look is everything. It's so good to see you!"
Maggie felt a warmth spread through her as she returned their hugs, the genuine happiness on their faces easing her anxiety a little. "Thanks, guys. It's good to see you too. I missed you both."
Emily's eyes softened as she took Maggie's hand. "We missed you too! We were so worried about you. Are you… are you doing, okay?"
Maggie's smile faltered, but she nodded, keeping her voice steady. "Yeah. I'm… getting there. It's been a rough few months, but I'm trying."
Stephanie gave her a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. "Well, we're here for you. And hey, if you ever want a distraction, we're always up for a girls' night. Just say the word."
Maggie chuckled, grateful for their unwavering support. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
There was a brief pause, and Emily exchanged a hesitant glance with Stephanie before speaking again. "So… we heard about Roy," she said gently. "That he moved to Star City… and that you guys broke up."
Maggie's heart tightened, but she forced herself to stay composed. "Yeah," she replied, her voice soft. "He… he needed a fresh start. And with everything that happened, I guess he felt it was better if we stayed friends."
Stephanie sighed sympathetically. "I'm so sorry, Maggie. That must've been hard. But for what it's worth, he doesn't know what he's missing. You're way out of his league."
Maggie managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Steph. Honestly, I think it's for the best. We both needed some space, I think."
Emily nodded, giving her a warm, reassuring smile. "Well, we're just glad to have your back. And trust us, there's a whole world of possibilities out there. Roy might be in Star City, but you're here with us, and we're not going anywhere."
Maggie felt a surge of gratitude, the familiar warmth of her friends' support grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions. For the first time since returning, she felt a spark of something close to happiness.
Jason, who'd been giving them space, grinned as he joined them. "Alright, ladies, don't keep her all to yourselves. Mags has gotta save some energy for surviving Shakespeare with me."
Emily and Stephanie laughed, rolling their eyes as they teased Jason back, the easy banter and laughter a welcome relief for Maggie. For a moment, she allowed herself to sink into the familiarity, to let go of the anxiety she had felt.
The cafeteria buzzed with chatter as Maggie navigated her way through the crowded tables, balancing her lunch tray and scanning the room for a spot. Just as she found a table, she noticed a girl sitting alone, looking around with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. She had short, dark hair and a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, her expression both intrigued and a little overwhelmed by the chaos of Gotham Prep. Feeling a spark of friendliness, Maggie approached her.
"Hey! New here?"
The girl looked up, her face lighting up with relief. "Yeah, I'm Nina."
"Maggie," she replied, setting her tray down. "Mind if I join you?"
Nina's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Please. This place is… huge. It's a bit of a maze, honestly."
Maggie laughed, nodding in agreement. "Tell me about it... Want me to show you around a bit after lunch?"
"That would be amazing," Nina said, grinning. "Thanks, Maggie."
After they finished eating, Maggie took her on a quick tour of the main sections of the school, pointing out everything from the gym to the library, filling in little details about the teachers and favorite study spots along the way. Just as they turned a corner, they nearly bumped into Jason, who was leaning against a locker, casually scrolling through his phone.
"Hey, Jay!" Maggie greeted, smiling. "This is Nina—she's new here. I'm showing her around."
Jason looked up, offering Nina a friendly grin. "Nice to meet you, Nina. Hope Gotham Prep's treating you well so far."
Nina's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded, a little awestruck. "Thanks! I mean… it's a lot to take in, but yeah. So far, so good."
Jason chuckled, giving Maggie a playful nudge. "Mags is the best tour guide you could have. She knows all the shortcuts."
Maggie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Don't inflate my ego too much."
"Catch you later," Jason said, nodding to them both before heading off down the hallway, his easy confidence unmistakable.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Nina let out a breath, her eyes wide. "Wow… okay, so… is he single?" she asked, her voice light but laced with genuine curiosity.
Maggie's stomach twisted slightly, a strange mix of protectiveness and an unexpected twinge of jealousy bubbling up. She forced herself to keep her tone casual. "Uh, yeah, he is. But… Jason's, you know, kind of complicated."
Nina raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Complicated in a bad-boy-sort-of-way? Because I don't mind that."
Maggie's jaw tightened, and she tried to laugh it off. "I guess you could say that. But, you know, he's… well, he's, my foster brother."
"Oh!" Nina's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, I didn't realize..."
Maggie nodded, still feeling that protective edge. "He's been living with me and my dad for a while now."
Nina smiled, glancing down the hallway where Jason had disappeared. "Well, lucky you."
"Thanks," she replied, feeling a bit more confused. "Jason's a good guy. He just… he can be a little guarded."
Nina nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. I mean, it's high school, right? Everyone's got their secrets."
Maggie laughed, the tension slipping away as she felt the truth of Nina's words. "You're not wrong about that. Anyway, let's keep going. You still need to see the science labs, and they're a maze."
As they continued down the hallway, Maggie couldn't help glancing back, the lingering mix of protectiveness and surprise swirling within her. She hadn't expected to feel that way about Jason, but she brushed it off, focusing instead on showing Nina the ropes and making her feel welcome. After the final bell, Maggie, Emily, and Stephanie gathered by the front steps of Gotham Prep, chatting and catching up on the first-day excitement. Maggie had invited Nina to join them, figuring it was a good way for her new friend to meet her other friends and settle in a bit more. As soon as Nina appeared, Maggie waved her over, and the group welcomed her warmly.
"Hey, Nina!" Maggie called out as she approached. "Come meet Emily and Stephanie!"
Nina gave a friendly wave. "Hey! Thanks for letting me crash your group," she said, a bit shy but clearly excited to be included.
"Any friend of Maggie's is a friend of ours," Stephanie said with a smile.
Emily nodded. "Absolutely. We're glad you're here! So, what brings you to Gotham?"
Nina shrugged, adjusting her backpack. "My dad's work, actually. He's a city planner, got transferred here, so here I am." She smiled, though there was a glint of nervous excitement in her eyes. "Honestly, I didn't expect Gotham to be so… intense."
The girls laughed, nodding in understanding.
"You're not wrong," Emily said with a grin. "Gotham definitely takes some getting used to."
As they talked, Nina glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening too closely, before leaning in a little. "So, I hope you don't mind me asking, but… what's Jason's type?"
Maggie felt a flicker of protectiveness rise again, though she kept her expression neutral. She glanced at Emily, who was already giving Nina a wary look.
Emily folded her arms, her expression shifting to one of caution. "Honestly, Nina? Jason's… complicated. He's not really boyfriend material. He can be great, but… It's not easy being close to him."
Nina looked taken aback, a bit of curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Complicated how?"
Stephanie sighed, exchanging a look with Maggie. "It's not just one thing. He can be super intense, and he's not exactly… open. Dating him is like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces."
Maggie decided to chime in, keeping her tone light but honest. "Jasons got a lot going on, he doesn't let people in easily. I guess… he's still figuring things out, you know?"
Nina nodded slowly, absorbing their words. "Got it. So, he's one of those dark and mysterious types, huh?"
Emily shook her head, her tone gentle but firm. "I get the intrigue, but just be careful. Jason's a great guy, but he's not exactly the relationship type. "
Nina considered this; her expression thoughtful. "Thanks for the heads-up, guys. I guess."
As they continued chatting, Maggie felt a strange sense of protectiveness over Jason every time she heard Nina talk about him.
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