Becoming Nightshade

The usual hum of students filled the halls of Gotham Prep as they bustled between lockers, exchanging notes, and gossiping about the latest drama. The energy shifted the moment Maggie Wayne walked through the entrance, her presence drawing attention.

Dressed sharply in her school uniform, Maggie's stride was relaxed but confident. She carried her bag casually over one shoulder and wore an easy, faint smile. The moment her friends, Stephanie and Emily, spotted her, they rushed over, their faces lighting up with relief.

"Maggie!" Stephanie exclaimed, throwing her arms around her. "You're back! Are you okay? We've been freaking out ever since we heard about the crash!"

Maggie stiffened slightly at the sudden hug but quickly adjusted, returning it with a soft smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said smoothly. "It wasn't as bad as it sounded."

Emily frowned, stepping back and giving her a once-over. "Not as bad? Maggie, you crashed your motorcycle. You could've died!"

Maggie shrugged, brushing off the concern. "I got lucky. Just a few bumps and bruises. Nothing serious."

Stephanie shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Bumps and bruises? You've been out of school for days! What really happened?"

"I needed time to rest," Maggie replied, her tone casual but firm. "That's all. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

Emily exchanged a glance with Stephanie, her concern clear. "Well, we were worried sick. You didn't respond to our texts, and then Jason wouldn't say much either. It was like you dropped off the map."

Maggie smiled faintly, feigning guilt. "Sorry about that. I just needed some space to recover. You know how I am."

Stephanie softened, her worry turning into a teasing grin. "Yeah, stubborn as always. But seriously, don't scare us like that again, okay?"

"I'll try not to," Maggie said, offering a small laugh that felt natural enough.

As they walked toward their lockers, a few other students stopped to greet Maggie, some offering smiles, others throwing curious glances her way. The usual buzz of gossip seemed heightened.

"I heard she wiped out trying to take a sharp turn too fast," someone whispered.

"Yeah, but she's back already? Must be tougher than she looks," another added.

As they reached their lockers, Stephanie and Emily buzzed with excitement, pulling Maggie into their conversation.

"You're still coming with us Saturday, right?" Stephanie asked eagerly. "We've got the whole day planned—lunch and dress shopping. You can't back out."

Emily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Alexis has already posted on her story about her 'perfect dress.' We have to make sure you outshine her at homecoming."

Maggie smiled faintly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Of course I'm coming. Wouldn't miss it."

Stephanie grinned, throwing her arm around Maggie's shoulder. "Good, because I've already got a few stores in mind, and you have to try on this emerald green dress I saw—it would look amazing on you."

Emily tilted her head thoughtfully. "Actually, I was thinking something more dramatic. Like that deep red one we saw last weekend? Totally Maggie vibes."

Maggie hesitated briefly, her smile never faltering. "We'll see. I'll try on whatever you guys want, as long as we get lunch first. Priorities, right?"

The two laughed, nodding enthusiastically. "Deal," Stephanie said. "But you'd better not pull your 'I'm not feeling it' card halfway through. We're getting this done."

"Don't worry," Maggie replied, her voice light. "I'm all in."

Before the conversation could go any further, Jason appeared at the end of the hallway, his sharp gaze locking onto Maggie. His stride was purposeful, and Stephanie and Emily exchanged quick glances, smirking at each other as he approached.

"Mags," Jason said, stopping a few feet away.

Maggie turned, her smile broadening into something warm. "Hey, Jason."

Jason crossed his arms, his tone skeptical. "Didn't know you were making plans for Saturday."

"Surprise," she said lightly, her tone breezy. "Figured I'd do something fun with the girls. You don't mind, do you?"

Jason frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on her. "You sure you're up for this?"

She met his eyes, her tone calm and confident. "I'm fine, Jason. You don't have to keep asking."

Before he could respond,Maggie stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and cupped his face with her hands. Without warning, she leaned in and kissed him—passionately. The kind of kiss Maggie would only ever give him in private, away from prying eyes.

Jason froze for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise, but he instinctively returned the kiss, his hands moving to her waist. The hallway erupted in murmurs and whispers as students stopped to watch.

Stephanie and Emily stood slack-jawed, glancing at each other in disbelief. "Whoa," Stephanie muttered. "Since when does Maggie do that in public?"

When the kiss ended, Jason pulled back slightly, his brow furrowed as he looked at her. "What was that for?" he asked quietly, his tone confused but not entirely displeased.

Maggie tilted her head, her smile warm and playful. "Just missed you, that's all."

Jason's unease only deepened. The Maggie he knew was affectionate, but this kind of public display wasn't like her. "You sure you're okay?" he asked again, his voice low.

She laughed softly, brushing a hand over his shoulder. "I'm fine, Jay. Relax."

Jason nodded reluctantly, stepping back as the bell rang, signaling the start of class. "We'll talk later," he said, still watching her closely as she turned back to her friends.

Maggie waved him off, then rejoined Stephanie and Emily, who were both staring at her with wide eyes. "What?" she asked innocently.

Stephanie leaned in, her voice hushed but teasing. "What was that? Since when do you kiss Jason like that in front of people?"

Maggie shrugged, her tone casual. "Felt like it. Besides, why not? He's my boyfriend."

Emily grinned, nudging her playfully. "Well, you definitely gave people something to talk about. Alexis is probably fuming right now."

Maggie smiled faintly, her mind already elsewhere as they walked to class.

Later that day

The quiet hum of whispered conversations and the occasional scratch of pencils filled the air in study hall. Jason entered, scanning the room quickly until his eyes landed on Maggie sitting at a table near the back. She was flipping through her textbook, her brow furrowed in concentration, looking every bit like her usual focused self.

Jason hesitated for a moment before making his way over. He dropped his bag onto the seat across from her and slid into the chair. "Hey."

She looked up, her expression softening into a faint smile. "Hey, Jay."

Jason leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied her. "You seem… normal. Back to hitting the books already?"

Maggie shrugged, her tone casual. "Just trying to catch up on what I missed. Don't want to fall behind."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "That's the Maggie I know." He paused, leaning forward slightly. "But you've been acting different, you know. With your friends… even that kiss earlier. Not really your style."

Her smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, her tone light. "Is it so bad that I'm trying to loosen up a little? Everyone keeps saying I need to take it easy."

Jason frowned, not entirely convinced. "Yeah, but it's not just that. You seem… I don't know. Off. Like you're trying too hard."

Maggie tilted her head, feigning confusion. "Trying too hard? Jason, I'm just doing my best to move on. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Jason hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I wanted you to be okay. And I get that you've been through a lot, but—"

"But what?" she cut in, her tone a touch sharper, though she quickly softened it. "Do you want me to fall apart? Stay in bed and wallow? I'm trying to move forward, Jason. Isn't that what you always tell me to do?"

Jason sat back, caught off guard by the slight edge in her voice. "That's not what I meant, Mags. I just… I'm worried about you."

Maggie sighed, closing her textbook and meeting his gaze. "I know you are. And I appreciate it. But you don't have to worry so much, okay? I'm fine."

Jason studied her closely, his instincts still nagging at him, but he forced himself to nod. "Okay. If you say so."

She smiled again, her tone softening. "Thanks for checking on me, though. It means a lot."

Jason nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Always."

Maggie opened her textbook again, pretending to immerse herself in the material. Jason stayed a few minutes longer, watching her out of the corner of his eye, but eventually, he stood and walked away.

As he left, Maggie smile faded, replaced by a faint smirk. She turned a page in the textbook, her thoughts already elsewhere.

The last bell of the day had rung, and the hallways of Gotham Prep were alive with the usual post-class bustle. Students lingered at their lockers, chatting and making plans for the evening. Maggie walked down the hall with her bag slung casually over her shoulder, her expression calm and unreadable.

From across the hallway, Alexis, the school's queen bee and Maggie's self-proclaimed rival, spotted her. A sly smirk crossed Alexis's face as she sauntered over, flanked by a few of her usual followers.

"Well, well," Alexis drawled, stepping into Maggie's path. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence after her little… accident."

Maggie stopped, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want, Alexis?" she asked, her tone cool but composed.

"Oh, nothing," Alexis said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "Just wanted to check in. I mean, crashing a motorcycle? That must've been humiliating. But I guess you're used to being second-best, huh?"

A few students nearby turned to watch, sensing the tension. Maggie tilted her head, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips. "Is this your attempt at being clever? Because it's falling flat."

Alexis's smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, leaning in slightly. "You know, Maggie, some of us don't need to try so hard to be the center of attention. You might want to take notes."

Maggie's eyes glinted with something darker for just a moment before she stepped back, her tone dismissive. "Whatever, Alexis. I've got better things to do than waste time with you."

She turned and walked away, leaving Alexis standing there, fuming. As Maggie moved farther down the hall, she glanced over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching too closely. Her fingers twitched slightly, and the shadows beneath the lockers and desks seemed to ripple.

Suddenly, Alexis's heel caught on something unseen. She stumbled forward, her arms flailing as she let out a loud yelp. Unable to catch herself, she toppled to the floor in an ungraceful heap, her bag spilling open and scattering its contents across the hallway.

The hallway went silent for a moment before it erupted into laughter. Students pointed and whispered, their amusement at Alexis's misfortune unmistakable.

"Nice one, Alexis," someone called out, earning more laughter.

Alexis's cheeks flushed bright red as she scrambled to gather her things, her followers awkwardly trying to help her. "Shut up!" she snapped, glaring at the nearest group of students.

Farther down the hall, Maggie stopped at her locker, her lips curling into a subtle, satisfied smirk. The shadows beneath her seemed to settle, fading back into place as though nothing had happened.

"Careful, Alexis," she murmured under her breath, her voice low and amused. "Wouldn't want you to trip over your own ego."

She closed her locker, the faintest hint of a smirk still lingering on her lips. Blending seamlessly into the bustling crowd of students, she navigated the hallway until she spotted Jason leaning casually against the wall near the exit, waiting for her.

"Hey, Jay," she called out, her voice warm and inviting.

Jason turned, his skeptical expression softening slightly as he caught sight of her. "Hey, Mags. Ready to head out?"

She sauntered over to him, her movements just a bit slower, more deliberate. When she reached him, she placed a hand lightly on his arm, her eyes meeting his in a way that felt more intense than usual. "Actually, I was thinking…" she began, her voice dipping into a softer, more suggestive tone.

Jason raised an eyebrow, immediately picking up on the change in her demeanor. "What were you thinking?" he asked cautiously.

Maggie leaned in slightly, her smile turning playful, almost teasing. "Instead of going straight home, how about we… take a detour? Go somewhere quiet. Just you and me."

Jason blinked, caught off guard by her tone and suggestion. "A detour?" he echoed, his curiosity piqued. "Where?"

She tilted her head, her smile widening just a fraction. "I don't know… your spot? Thought it might be nice to have some alone time."

Jason hesitated, studying her closely. This wasn't like Maggie. She was affectionate, sure, but rarely this forward. Still, he couldn't deny the pull in her voice, the way she was looking at him.

"My spot, huh?" he said, his tone half-teasing. "You're really serious about this?"

She shrugged, letting her fingers trail down his arm lightly. "Why not? We've both had a long week, and I think we deserve a little… escape. Don't you?"

Jason couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease, but he pushed it aside, chalking it up to the stress they'd both been under. "Alright," he said finally. "But if Alfred calls and yells at us, you're taking the blame."

Maggie laughed softly, slipping her arm through his. "Deal."

As they walked out of the building together, Jason couldn't shake the feeling that something about her was… different.