Becoming Nightshade

As Maggie walked down the familiar hallways of Gotham Academy, the usual buzz of students filled the air. Her friends spotted her almost immediately, a chorus of excited squeals and relieved sighs filling the space as they rushed over.

"Maggie! Oh my God, you're back!" Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Maggie in a tight hug. "We thought you were dying of the flu or something."

Maggie laughed, returning the hug. "Yeah, something like that," she said, keeping things vague with a small smile.

Stephanie nudged her playfully. "Girl, you missed so much. First of all—homecoming planning is in full swing, and you have to catch up." She linked arms with Maggie, practically dragging her down the hall. "We're talking dresses, themes, and drama. So much drama."

Maggie rolled her eyes but smiled. "Sounds like I missed a lot."

"Oh, you have no idea," Emily chimed in, flipping through her phone. "And, um, speaking of homecoming, guess who's currently in the lead for king and queen?" She wiggled her eyebrows as she held up the student council's latest poll results on the screen.

Maggie blinked as she saw her and Jason's names right at the top of the list. "Wait, us?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "Seriously?"

Stephanie grinned. "Duh! You two are basically Gotham Academy's power couple. The brooding bad boy with the billionaire's daughter? It's like a movie."

Maggie groaned, shaking her head with a laugh. "Jason's going to love this." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Emily smirked. "I'm sure he'll survive. Besides, all he has to do is show up, look hot, and wear a crown. How hard can it be?"

Maggie sighed dramatically. "You clearly don't know Jason Todd."

Stephanie leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Okay, but real talk—what did you end up getting? Because if you show up looking like royalty, the rest of us are doomed."

Maggie smirked, adjusting the strap of her backpack as they walked down the hallway. "You'll just have to wait and see," she teased.

Emily pouted dramatically. "Come on, Mags! You're killing us here. We all went shopping together, and you refused to even give us a sneak peek at your final choice."

Stephanie nudged her. "Yeah, you totally disappeared into that fitting room forever and then just walked out with a smug look and a garment bag. Spill!"

Maggie laughed, shaking her head. "Let's just say... it's classic, it's elegant, and it might have a little edge. I promise you'll love it."

Stephanie groaned. "Ugh, you're the worst. I bet Jason's seen it, hasn't he?"

Maggie raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Nope. It's a surprise."

Emily's eyes widened. "Wait, really? You haven't shown him? What, are you waiting for some grand dramatic entrance?"

Maggie shrugged, trying to downplay it, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "Maybe. Gotta keep him on his toes."

Stephanie fanned herself dramatically. "Girl, you're playing the long game. Respect."

As they rounded the corner, Maggie spotted Jason leaning casually against his locker, arms crossed and wearing his usual bad-boy smirk. The second his eyes met hers, he pushed off the locker and walked toward her, his gaze flicking between her and the group of giggling girls behind her.

"Why do I feel like I'm about to be dragged into something?" Jason asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Maggie grinned as she linked her arm through his. "Oh, you know, just the usual—homecoming drama, dress suspense, and apparently, the entire school voting for us as king and queen."

Jason groaned, running a hand down his face. "Great. Just what I always wanted—to be a teenage cliché."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you're loving the attention."

Jason shot her a dry look. "Yeah, because nothing screams me like tuxedos and staged photos."

Maggie squeezed his arm, her voice laced with amusement. "I think you'll survive, tough guy."

Jason sighed but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. "Only because you asked nicely." He leaned in, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "But seriously, when do I get to see this mystery dress?"

Maggie smirked. "You'll see it when everyone else does."

Jason groaned playfully. "That's cruel, Mags. Real cruel."

Stephanie nudged Emily with a grin. "See? I told you they were disgustingly adorable."

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Alright, enough about us. What's the latest gossip?"

Emily leaned in excitedly, her eyes wide with the thrill of spilling the latest gossip. "Okay, so first off—huge drama in the homecoming court. Alexis Kensington and her entourage are losing it because apparently, she was convinced she and Tyler were a lock for king and queen." She gave Maggie a pointed look. "And then you and Jason ended up at the top of the poll. Let's just say, she's not taking it well."

Maggie groaned, shaking her head. "Why am I not surprised?"

Stephanie snickered. "It gets better. She tried to pull some 'Maggie doesn't even care about homecoming' nonsense during lunch yesterday. But Tyler shut her down and said, 'Well, Maggie's dating Gotham Academy's resident badass, so obviously everyone's voting for them.'"

Jason smirked. "Smart guy."

Emily continued, barely pausing to breathe. "Oh, and speaking of Tyler—"

Before Emily could finish her sentence, the shrill sound of the five-minute warning bell echoed through the hall, cutting off the conversation.

Maggie groaned. "Ugh, perfect timing."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Guess you'll have to wait until lunch for the rest of the drama."

Emily pointed at Maggie as they all started walking toward their respective classrooms. "Don't think you're getting off that easy, Mags. I'm finishing this story later. It's too good to leave hanging."

Maggie laughed, adjusting her backpack. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Jason, walking beside her with his usual relaxed stride, shot her a sideways glance. "So, fights in the cafeteria, bribery scandals, and homecoming chaos. I'm seriously reconsidering why I even came to school today."

Maggie nudged him playfully. "Because you're a responsible student who cares deeply about his education?"

Jason smirked. "More like because someone threatened me with Alfred's disappointed face if I skipped again."

As the lunch bell rang, the halls flooded with students making their way to the cafeteria. Maggie walked alongside Jason, the hum of conversation and laughter filling the air. She could already spot Emily and Stephanie waving enthusiastically from their usual table near the windows, surrounded by trays piled with food and stacks of homecoming flyers.

"Here we go," Jason muttered under his breath as they approached.

Maggie smirked. "Be nice. They're just excited."

"Excited? They're obsessed." Jason replied, plopping his tray down on the table with a sigh. "I swear, this whole homecoming thing is a bigger deal than half the cases we deal with in Gotham."

Emily barely gave Jason a glance before turning to Maggie with wide eyes. "Okay, so where was I? Oh—right. Tyler and Mason almost threw down in the cafeteria yesterday." She leaned in dramatically, lowering her voice as if sharing a top-secret mission. "It all started when Mason started running his mouth about how homecoming was rigged."

Stephanie nodded, munching on a fry. "Yeah, and Tyler, being Tyler, couldn't let it slide. He called Mason out right in the middle of lunch."

Maggie raised an eyebrow. "And the pizza?"

Emily grinned. "Ah, yes, the pizza. So Mason, in his infinite wisdom, decided to throw a slice at Tyler—missed, obviously—and nailed Mrs. Cartwright instead."

Maggie gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. "No way."

Stephanie snickered. "Way. And let me tell you, she was not amused."

Jason shook his head, shoving a bite of his burger into his mouth, when an all-too-familiar voice cut through the cafeteria chatter.

"Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence."

Maggie sighed before even turning around. Alexis Kensington stood behind her, arms crossed and a smug smile on her face. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped against her designer bag, and the group of girls trailing behind her looked equally entertained by the confrontation.

Jason groaned, setting his burger down with exaggerated annoyance. "And here we go."

Maggie turned in her seat, forcing a polite smile. "Alexis. Something I can help you with?"

Alexis flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and smiled sweetly—too sweetly. "Oh, just checking in. You know, with all the flu you had, I was worried you wouldn't make it to homecoming." Her eyes flicked to Jason. "Not that it'd matter. I mean, do you guys even care about homecoming court?"

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Jealousy isn't a cute look on you, Alexis."

Alexis ignored her, keeping her eyes locked on Maggie. "I mean, let's be real, Maggie—homecoming queen isn't exactly your thing, right? You're more of the 'standing in the shadows' type. No offense."

Maggie's polite smile didn't waver, but there was a distinct edge to her voice. "None taken. And you're right, it's not my whole world, but people seem to think Jason and I are a good fit."

Jason leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Yeah, I guess people like us, huh?"

Alexis' eye twitched slightly, but she kept her composure. "Sure, sure. But I just wanted to remind you that some of us have been working toward this since freshman year." She leaned in slightly. "I'd hate for all your recent absences to hurt your chances of… staying in the running."

Jason's jaw tensed, but Maggie put a hand on his, signaling for him to stay calm. She met Alexis' gaze head-on. "Don't worry, Alexis. I'm perfectly healthy now. And if people want to vote for us, that's their choice."

Alexis' lips curled into a smirk. "Of course. May the best queen win." With that, she turned on her heel, strutting away with her entourage in tow, tossing a final glance over her shoulder.

Emily leaned forward. "Ugh, she's so threatened by you, Maggie. It's hilarious."

Maggie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, well, I'd rather not deal with her at all."

Stephanie grinned mischievously. "Oh, come on. Admit it. It's kind of fun watching her squirm."

Maggie rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Let's just get through homecoming first."

Emily perked up suddenly, her eyes widening. "Uh, Mags, you do realize homecoming is next Friday, right?"

Maggie blinked. "Wait, what?"

Stephanie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, girl. It's creeping up fast. Just a week away."

Jason, who had been casually picking at his fries, suddenly froze mid-motion. His eyes flicked toward Maggie with an expression that could only be described as realization mixed with mild panic. "Next Friday?" he repeated slowly, setting down his food. "That's… your birthday."

Maggie's eyes widened slightly, as if she had just been hit with the realization herself. "Oh, right." She laughed awkwardly. "I kinda forgot about that."

Jason stared at her, incredulous. "How do you forget your own birthday?"

Maggie shrugged, offering a small, almost sheepish smile. "Growing up, birthday parties were... kind of a disaster. People didn't always show up, Dad usually had some urgent 'business,' or—" she gestured vaguely, "—the latest crazed Arkham inmate decided to break out and cause chaos."

Jason's expression softened, his smirk fading into something more serious. "Mags…"

She waved a hand, brushing it off. "It's fine, really. I got used to it. It's just another day, and, well... it's Gotham. You can't exactly plan for normal."

Stephanie frowned, clearly taken aback. "Wait, so you're telling me no fancy Wayne birthday bashes? No over-the-top parties with like, celebrities and ice sculptures or whatever?"

Maggie laughed. "Oh, there were plans. Alfred always made sure of that. But, you know... things happen."

Jason's jaw clenched slightly, the familiar pang of understanding hitting him. "Yeah… Gotham's great like that." His hand found hers under the table, squeezing it gently.

Maggie squeezed back, offering him a grateful smile. "I know. And honestly, I'm okay with how things are."

Emily shook her head. "That's so depressing, Mags. No offense."

The bell rang, and Maggie grabbed her tray, still feeling the warmth of Jason's hand lingering in hers. As they made their way to class, Jason leaned in close, his voice low and teasing. "You're getting a real birthday this year, Mags. No Arkham interruptions. Promise."

Maggie smiled, nudging him with her shoulder. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Jason smirked. "Challenge accepted."