The classroom buzzed with gossip.
Aaron sat at his desk. His hearing picked up every whisper. He did not try to listen. The words came anyway.
"Did you hear about Pamela's parents?"
"Divorced. Finally. Her mother took everything."
"I heard she got fifty percent. Maybe more."
"My dad said it was closer to seventy. The house. The accounts. Everything."
"Gold digger. Plain and simple."
Aaron looked across the room. Pamela Isley sat at her desk. Her red hair hung loose over her shoulders. Her green eyes stared at nothing. Her hands were flat on the table. Still.
The whispers continued.
"The court gave her almost all of it. Long-term financial stability or something."
"Mr. Isley built that company. She just married him and took it."
Pamela heard. Aaron could tell. Her jaw was tight. Her breathing was shallow. But she did not cry. She did not turn around. She just sat there. Small. Quiet.
Aaron watched her. The girl who had followed him for days. The girl who brought muffins and asked strange questions. The girl who loved plants because they did not lie.
She had been annoying. Yes. But this was different.
This was pain.
He stood up. Walked across the room. Sat down in the empty seat beside her.
"Pamela. Are you alright?"
She turned. Her green eyes met his. For a moment, they were empty. Then something flickered. Surprise. Then warmth.
"Aaron?"
"I asked if you are alright."
Her mouth opened. Closed. Then a small smile came. Not the bright fake smile from before. Something smaller. Realer.
"Yeah. It's okay. It doesn't affect me that much."
The lie was obvious. Aaron respected it anyway.
"Good," he said. He did not move.
Pamela straightened in her chair. Her shoulders lifted slightly. Her hands unclenched.
"You came to me," she said.
"You looked sad."
"I was. A little. But now..." She paused. "Now I am not."
The teacher entered. Class began. Aaron stayed in the seat beside Pamela. He did not return to his own desk.
No one stopped him.
---
RECESS
The cafeteria was loud. Students filled the long tables. Food trays clattered. Laughter echoed.
Aaron sat at a corner table. Near the window. The light was indirect. Safe. Pamela sat beside him. She had brought her tray. She ate slowly. Peacefully. Her mood had lifted.
"This is nice," she said.
"What is?"
"Sitting here. With you. You never sat with me before."
She nodded. Did not push. She seemed content just to be there.
Across the cafeteria, Bruce Wayne approached. His tray was balanced in one hand. His eyes found Aaron immediately. He changed direction and walked toward the table.
Behind him came two others.
Harvey Dent. Tall. Blond. Broad smile. Confident walk. The kind of boy who made friends without trying. His eyes were sharp but friendly. Everyone liked Harvey.
Oliver Queen. Lean. Lighter hair. Expensive watch on his wrist. His clothes were casual but clearly costly. He moved with easy charm. The rich kid who wanted to seem like he was not rich.
"Mind if we sit?" Bruce asked. He was already sitting.
Harvey and Oliver sat too. No invitation. Just confidence.
"Aaron," Harvey said. "I'm Harvey. Bruce told us about the chess games."
"Four losses," Oliver added. He grinned.
Oliver leaned forward. "So, Aaron. Bruce says you are some kind of martial arts prodigy. Snake style?"
"How old is this martial arts history?"
"Very."
"You don't talk that much"
Oliver laughed. "Mysterious. I like it."
The group ate. Talked. Harvey told stories about debate club.
Oliver complained about his family's business meetings, always busy. Bruce said little. Pamela listened. Aaron watched.
---
The recess bell rang.
Students began to leave. Trays were returned. Chairs scraped.
"Same table tomorrow?" Harvey asked.
"I will be here," Aaron said.
"Me too," Pamela added.
Bruce nodded. A single short movement.
Oliver clapped Aaron on the shoulder as he passed. "Teach me that snake style sometime."
"No."
They left. Pamela lingered.
"Aaron. Thank you. For earlier."
"You do not need to thank me."
"I want to. Nobody else came to me. Just you."
She smiled. Real this time. Then she walked away.
Aaron sat alone for a moment. The cafeteria was emptying.
The window light was soft. He thought about the day. Pamela. Bruce. Harvey. Oliver. His grandparents. The castle waiting in summer.
Things were changing.
He stood. Walked back to class.
" Well, this world is nicer than previous one, but I think my strength i have to Awakened by soul spirit, let's do tomorrow weekend"