The days in Gotham passed slowly at first. Damian, used to the constant motion and challenge of Blüdhaven, found the penthouse both a sanctuary and a cage. The city outside was alive with possibility, but inside, the silence pressed in on him. Hawthorne, ever attentive, noticed Damian's restlessness—the way he paced the halls, the way he stared out the window at the city lights as if searching for something he'd lost.
One morning, after a quiet breakfast, Hawthorne approached Damian with a gentle firmness. "Young master, I believe it's time you experienced a bit of normalcy. I've enrolled you at Hamilton Hill Middle School. Your mother always said it was important to learn from all walks of life."
Damian frowned, pushing his plate away. "I don't see the point. I can learn more here than I ever could in a classroom."
Hawthorne's eyes twinkled with patience. "There are lessons, Damian, that cannot be taught by books or even by your father. Trust me—this will be good for you."
The next day, dressed in a crisp uniform, Damian stepped through the doors of his new school. The halls buzzed with energy and chatter, lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking on the polished floors. Damian moved with quiet confidence, but he felt the weight of curious eyes on him.
In the cafeteria, he scanned the room for a place to sit. Before he could decide, a boy with messy black hair and a mischievous grin slid into the seat beside him.
"Hey, you're new, right?" the boy said, offering a friendly fist bump. "I'm Terry. You look like you could use a tour guide."
Damian hesitated, then returned the gesture. "Damian. I suppose I could."
Terry grinned. "Cool. Stick with me and you'll survive. Maybe."
As they navigated the halls, Terry pointed out the various cliques and trouble spots. "That's the science wing—Max practically lives there. And over there's the gym. Nelson thinks he owns the place, but don't let him fool you."
They rounded a corner and nearly collided with a girl carrying a stack of books. She caught herself and smiled. "Terry, you're late for lunch duty. Again."
Terry shrugged. "Dana, meet Damian. He's new."
Dana Tan offered Damian a warm smile. "Welcome to Hamilton Hill. If you need help with anything, just ask. Terry's good at getting lost."
Damian nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
A girl with purple streaks in her hair and a tablet under her arm sauntered over. "So this is the new guy?" she said, eyeing Damian up and down. "Max Gibson. I run the tech club. If you ever need help hacking the school's grading system, I'm your girl."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "I'll keep that in mind, though I prefer to earn my grades."
Max grinned. "Suit yourself. But everyone caves eventually."
Suddenly, a tall, broad-shouldered boy swaggered up, tossing a football from hand to hand. "Hey, Terry, who's your friend? He looks like he could use some muscle."
Terry rolled his eyes. "Nelson Nash, meet Damian. Don't mind him—he's all bark, no bite."
Nelson smirked. "We'll see about that. You play any sports, Damian?"
"Not the kind you're used to," Damian replied coolly.
A girl with a quick smile and a stack of flyers appeared next. "Chelsea Cunningham. I'm running for student council president. You should join the campaign, Damian. We need fresh faces."
Damian blinked, surprised by her energy. "I'll think about it."
Finally, a lanky boy with glasses and a mouthful of chips plopped down at the table. "Howard Groote. I'm the comic relief. If you ever need a laugh, I'm your guy. Or if you need to know the best vending machines."
The group burst into laughter, and Damian found himself smiling for real.
As the day went on, Damian was drawn into their world. In science class, Max challenged him to a robotics duel. "Bet you can't beat my code," she teased.
Damian smirked. "You're on."
At lunch, Dana and Chelsea debated the merits of pineapple on pizza. "It's a crime against nature," Chelsea declared.
Dana laughed. "Don't listen to her, Damian. Try it for yourself."
Nelson tried to rope Damian into gym class basketball. "Come on, new kid. Show us what you've got."
Damian surprised everyone with his agility, darting past Nelson for a quick layup. The group cheered, and even Nelson looked impressed.
By the end of the week, Damian realized that, for the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged. The halls of Hamilton Hill Middle School were filled with new challenges, but also new friends—friends who would stand by his side in every high school adventure to come.
That night, as Damian recounted the day's events to Hawthorne over dinner, the butler smiled knowingly. "See, young master? Sometimes, the greatest adventures begin in the most ordinary places."
Damian nodded, a sense of hope blooming in his chest. For the first time since leaving Blüdhaven, he was ready to see what tomorrow would bring.