Archive of Our Own ^beta

    Nia was filled with dread. It was sadly a feeling she felt a lot, one that was all consuming. Normally she felt safe going to Kara's classroom. She knew nothing bad would happen when she was with Kara. That the room was a safe place and honestly any place with Kara and Lena was a safe place.

   But not now, not when she had punched a girl earlier in the school day. In Nia's full defense the girl deserved it. She doesn't even know her name but names don't matter. Names don't matter when things are being said that shouldn't be said. 

   It made Nia scared. It made her clench her hands and not move inside the classroom. Made her feet feel glued to the ground like someone strapped weights to them. Fear bubbled inside of her because how would they react? Would Kara be mad? Would Lena be mad? Would the only place she feels safe be pulled out from under her? Would they leave her gasping, drowning in the ocean trying to reach for them? 

   The door opened before Nia could do it. She hadn't noticed Kara walking to the classroom door to stuck in her head to look through the little window. Normally Kara had a warm smile, a big warm smile that filled Nia and made her feel better. This time she didnt. Kara didnt smile and it just twisted what she was already feeling even more.

   Nia looked at the ground forcing her feet to move with the metaphorical weights around them and into her chair without a word. Her backpack thudded to the ground hitting against the chair with a clang. 

  The air felt thick. When she breathed in it felt like it couldn't filter through her at all. Like it was all too big too. She clenched her hands around the sides of the desk trying to ignore the feeling. Kara had closed the classroom and door and was now sitting in the seat next to her.

   They sat like this a lot. Kara in that chair and Nia in her own. “You punched someone,” was all Kara said. Nia wondered if yelling would be better. If Kara yelled and got it all out maybe the air would move better. Maybe it would allow Nia to feel something other than dread. “Nia, can you look at me honey?”

   Nia did the opposite. She squeezed her eyes shut as tight as she could. Kara was too sweet, too nice. Something had to be coming. She punched someone! Even her parents would be upset about that! 

   “Nia, you need to breathe.” A hand touched her back and Nia jumped. Her eyes shot open and she looked up at Kara. Kara's hand was frozen in the air and the woman spotted a look of panic.

   “She deserved it!” Tumbled from Nia's lips. “She did! And-and you can yell at me! But I'm not sorry! I-I wont be sorry and-”

   “Nia-” Kara tried but once Nia was speaking, once she finally got that breath of air she couldn't stop.

   “She was an asshole! Saying transphobic things and I couldn't take it! I tried being the nice guy, correcting her. I tried holding back but she-she-” Nia gasped. She inhaled so deeply it felt like she was drowning. 

   “Nia I’m not mad!” Kara yelled. “I think she deserved it, I'm not mad!” The yelling washed over Nia. It hit her like a wave but instead of crashing Nia down and drowning ehr it pulled her up. 

   “Y-You...aren't mad?” Nia asks, confused. She focused on her own breathing trying to calm herself. Unknowingly she was copying Kara's breathing. Kara moved slowly. Gently letting her hand rest on Nia's arm. Her thumb gently moved up and down.

   “I understand why you did it. You shouldn't have punched someone but I'm not mad because I understand why. The girl- her name is Jessica-”

   “Of course it was Jessica,” Nia scoffs, bringing a hand up to wipe her eyes.

   “Yes Jessica deserved it. What she said was wrong and I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. Believe me she is facing repercussions for her words. But, you still have detention because the school is against violence.” Nia groaned. She sank down in her seat. Kara's hand on her felt calming, she couldn't help but focus on the soft feeling. “You’ll be helping Lena.”

   “What can I even do to help her?” Nia huffed. Lena was smart, Lena had all her smart students. What could Nia do? The best thing Nia could do was probably get something wrong in that classroom. Maybe thats all Nia could really do.

   “Its either this or you'll be sent to the library for an hour sorting through stacks of books trying to find where they go. Which isn't fun by the way, that librainian, I’m one: pretty sure she's a vampire and two: I've had detention with her.”

   “She must be a billion years old,” Nia shivered at the thought. Having to actually read books? Look at them and sort them. The actions all sounded horrendous especially with an old vampire lady librarian. “Will Lena be...mad?” Nia asks softly.

   Kara didnt seem mad but what about Lena? Lena seemed more prestigious in ways Kara didnt. She was intimidating, that might even be an understatement. She didnt want Lena to be mad at her. She wasn't sure if she could handle that. If she could look Lena in the eyes and see anger. 

   “No, you have nothing to worry about.” Nia inhaled, nodding. Nothing to worry about. Just help Lena and everything would be ok. She had a hard time believing they were not mad she punched someone. Nia flexed her hand looking down at it. It felt sore but other than that it was fine. 

   Kara seemed to notice her action. The woman gently let go of Nia's arm and held out her hand. Nia understood and let Kara take it examining it. One of her knuckles looked a little swollen and they were a bit read. 

   “Does it hurt?” Kara asks. “Do you need to go to the doctors? I know the nurse gave you ice but Lena and I could take you. Maybe an x-ray or-”

   “Kara I’m fine,” Nia smiled. She wiggled her fingers. “See? All movement is there and perfect. I didnt punch her that hard.” Kara looked up, giving her this look. “Ok maybe...maybe I punched her a little hard. But not hard enough to break anything! She has the smallest bruise on her cheek. Believe me my poor hand here took most of the impact- does that make sense? My hand is fine. I just punched her at a weird angle.” Nia pulled her hand back. She ran her fingers over her swollen knuckle and the redness on the rest of them. 

   “Are you sure you're fine?” Kara asks worriedly. Nia wanted to roll her eyes, she couldn't fight back doing it but she couldn't fight the smile on her face. “Why are you smiling? Nia, this is important!”

   “I know!” Nia yells back. “But you just...care,” she said in a small voice. Kara cared, Nia knew that. Its been voiced before. Kara and Lena both cared about her but sometimes, some moments it was hard to comprehend. But it made her feel better. Knowing that they cared about her made Nia feel like her insides were not burning or screaming.

   “Of course dummy.” Kara gently slapped her arm. Nia giggled, nodding to herself. “Lena wont be mad. She will definitely look at your hand though. I mean she's more of a doctor then me so she should know better.”

   “You two are weird. I still don't understand why she would put teaching up front.” Nia would never be over the fact the life they both chose. Lena was smart, honestly maybe the smartest person on earth and out of everything she chose teaching? Sure Lenas company is still big, I mean god the woman is a billionaire for christ sake.

   But the degrees, all the work Lena put into being a scientist. All the work Lena does it was insane. She could be National City where her building was like she used to be. She could be running the company from inside but instead she's here, teaching. Teaching? Not even something cool Nia could totally understand something cool.

   Maybe a secret lab where she was inventing time travel or cloning or just anything but teaching? Switching to teaching had to be laughable. Not that it didnt work, Nia cant imagine how much money is actually in Lenas bank account. Her company basically runs itself and Nia did some research to find out exactly how many buildings Lena owns and there were too many to count.

   Nia was terrible at science but math she was most definitely not made for math. What Lena was doing was extraordinary. It was inspiring but Nia just couldn't get past the teaching part. Because really? Teaching? 

   “Whatever, you'll understand one day.” Kara swiftly stood from her chair. “You should head to Lenas class. She's waiting for you.

   “Do I have to?” Nia asks, still afraid. Kara wouldn't lie to her but maybe Kara just wasn't aware if Lena was mad or not.

   “Nia please. I know you don't want to but I promise this is so much better then what the school picked for you to do. You should be glad Lena was able to calm Jessica's parents.”

   “Lena did what?” The new information surprised Nia. “What do you mean, calm her parents?” Kara’s face fell. It went between a few emotions.

   “Well- nothing!” Kara squeaked out. “I-I don't know what you're talking about! It went perfectly smooth!” Kara tried to leanon her desk with one hand stumbling backwards when her hand missed the desk by a foot. 

   “What did Lena do?” Nia asks again. Kara was basically sweating now. The smile she sported was forced and panicked. “Kara?”

   “Nia please,” Kara let out. Her eyes pleaded. “Just go help Lena, everythings ok. You don't have to worry about anything.”

   Nia slowly reached down grabbing the strap of her backpack. She didnt take her eyes off Kara. “Alright,” Nia said after a moment. She had questions. More questions than before and was now worried. “Do-Do you know if they told my grandparents?”

   “They didnt,” Kara was quick to say. 

   “Shouldn't they have?” Nia asks. Kara didnt respond. She avoided eye contact and walked behind her desk. “Kara?”

   “Only a small incident really. What would calling them have done? Really stupid idea, to call them.” 

   “You're so weird.” Nia slung her backpack over her shoulder and went to leave the room. She stopped at the door for a moment. She could hear Kara flipping pages and the scribble of a pen quickly across paper. “Kara?”

   “Yes?” Kara asks. Nia gulped. Her hands felt clammy and her throat felt dry. Thank you, Nia said in her head. Just say thank you, say thank you. 

   “Your fly is down,” Nia said, opening the door.

   “What! Nia why didnt you tell me!” Kara yelled. Nia laughed to herself as she left the room making her way quickly down the hallway before Kara could notice her lie.

   Now she had a few things on her mind. The first and most upfront one being what the hell did her teachers do to that girl's parents. The second being why was Kara acting like a toddler who was trying to hide the fact they ate a cookie from the cookie jar well having cookie crumbs on there face. And the third one was Lena mad at her.

   Would it be better to be yelled at by Lena or Kara? Nia feels like Lena wouldn't yell. She would give Nia a look that would make her feel small. A look that would have her melt into a pool of guilt. She would speak softly, so calm that it would freeze you inside out. The disappointment would drip from her voice and consume her. Lena wouldn't have to yell, she wouldn't have to raise her voice because she wielded so much power in a glance, a raise of an eyebrow, a raise of a finger. 

   Kara's yelling was hot and frustrated and messy but it was caring. Care seeped through her words and the way her eyebrows furrowed so tightly and her lungs ran out from how long she ranted. But the yelling, the disappointment, the way Kara somehow seemed to look like she was on fire if it got too far. Like her hair was a fire of golden flames and her voice was the kiss of death.

   Both were always filled with disappointment though. In the different ways they expressed themselves the disappointment is what hurt. What clawed at Nia's heart. It made her stop and freeze at a door all over again. How did she get back here? She asked herself. All she did was walk a few doors down the hallway and that was enough for her brain to spiral.

   She was fine. Kara said she was fine. So why didnt she feel fine? Why did she feel like she could be on a ledge about to lose something? That feeling pulled. It twisted and tightened. Nia opened the door a moment later.

   “Are you mad at me?” She blurted out before Lena could even look at her. “Kara said you weren't but I-I cant stop thinking about it. And-And if you are I understand I hit someone but-”

   “Darling,” Lena gave a pointed look. Nia felt flushed. She could feel the tears in her eyes all over again running down her puffy cheeks. “Close the door and come here please.”

   She didnt sound mad. Would Nia even know what mad Lena sounded like? Nia turned and shut the door quietly. Her mind felt like a loud noise like a door slamming or hitting shut would sound like an explosion in her head.

   She walked slowly to Lenas desk sitting down in a chair Lena had on the side of the desk. Her backpack fell next to her and she squirmed. She wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed. Lena watched her, she could feel it and it just made her squeeze tighter.

   “Tell me why I would be mad?” Nia gulped. Her fingernails dug against the skin on her arm. She opened her hand to stop herself from doing the action, trying to relax them against her arm in a manner that wouldn't harm herself.

   “I punched someone,” Nia whispered. 

   “And you know you shouldn't have punched someone?” Lena scooted closer to Nia gently resting her hand on her arm like Kara had. She even did the same thing with her thumb and it made Nia wonder if it was something they did to calm the other down.

   “I know.”

   “But?” Nia smiled a little at Lena knowing there was a but.

   “She deserved it.”

   “Good.” Nia's head shot up. 

   “What?” She asks, confused. 

   “She did deserve it. You know that and you know you also shouldn't have hit her, I don't see a problem here. Honestly dear I’ve already tried getting her expelled but god forbid we mess with rich parents.” Lena rolled her eyes. Nia’s mouth could fell open in shock.

   “You-You what?” Lena tried to get the girl expelled. “You-”

   “Of course I did! What she said was wrong and disgusting. You didnt deserve that and she needs to be taught better. Glad you knocked some sense into her because I could see the headlines now. “Lena Luthor punches a student at midvale high boarding school”, If you hadn't I would have and that wouldn't have been pretty. I know how to take care of myself.” Lena sent Nia a wink and pulled away. “Hand.”

   Nia didnt know what to say so she listened to the command. She let Lena hold and look over her hand. Lena was gentle. She moved Nia's fingers back and forth watching to see if Nia winced or felt any pain. 

   “Did Kara tell you what you would be doing?” Lena asks, letting go of her hand. Nia shook her head no. “The class has been working on building robots in teams of three. I need to organize the room for the grand show off tomorrow. I have someone fetching the robots from the storage room they’re in now.”

   “So we’re just moving stuff around?” Nia asks standing up when Lena did. Lena gave a hum walking to the front of her desk leaning against it. She looked over all the desks.

   “We just have to figure out how.” 

   “How many are there?” 

   “Uh...around 24.” Nia's eyes bulged out of her head.

  “Twenty four! Where are we putting them!” Nia yells. Lena just laughs pushing herself offf her desk.

   “Come on now Nia don't let a number scare you. Help me move the desks out so the middle of the room is clear.”

  “I would have preferred books over this,” she grumbles. She walked over to a desk grabbing the sides of it, picking it up with a huff moving it to the side.

   The both of them did that for what felt like forever. Lena began directing her to move the desks in a line against the sidewalls and the back walls.. So that the students could still sit and they could lay out all the projects on the desks with the middle of the room empty.

   “So why is the middle empty?” Nia asks, using her arm to wipe her forehead. She had been wondering about it for a while but hadn't had the brain cells to ask till now. She had been far too focused on moving things around and listening to Lenas orders. 

   Almost half the room was moved now, Nia had to admit it looked like a mess but was slowly coming together. She had sat down in a chair and took a bottle of water Lena had gave her. The second she was offered a break Nia took it without hesitation.

   “Don't tell anyone but...bot battle.”

   “What! Thats so cool!” Nia gasps. “Does the class know that?” Nia asks. Lena just giggles to herself taking a sip of her own drink. “Oh your evil!” Nia laughed. 

   “I've done this a couple years in a row. Its fun and a stress reliever. I mean sure some kids are upset there robots will be beaten to the ground but hey it happens. Its just for fun and a learning experience!” 

   “You really make them work so hard on something just to have them destroy each other.” Nia was amazed. She looked back to the middle of the room imagining small robots ramming into each other. “God I wish I was smart enough for this class now.”

   “You are smart Nia don't do that to yourself. If you have a free period, maybe you could observe.” Nia gasped. She really wanted to but this class was filled with kids ten times smarter than her. “Nia,” Lena said, giving her a look, “Its a bot battle, come on.”

   “Fine, I cant miss a bunch of nerds fighting.” 

   “Thats the spirit!” Nia hummed, taking another sip of her water. As she did the classroom door opened. There was a thudding sound that made her turn. The front of a wagon was being pushed into the room with a few robots on it.

  “I got it,” Nia said. She stood up and went to the door but when she saw who was on the other side she froze. Brainy. Brainy was on the other side of the wago holding the handle. His eyes caught her and they starred.

   Set up. She was set up. She didnt even have to look at Lena to know the look on her face. Nia bent down grabbing the edge of the wagon trying to pick it up to move it from being caught on the door.

   “Sorry, going this way seemed like a better idea.” Brainy seemed apologetic as he pushed the wagon into the room.

   Nia turned watching him. He rolled it over to the desks that were lined up, carefully grabbing one robot at a time and setting it on the desk. He pulled a note card out of his pocket with a pen writing down what Nia assumes is names to each robot.

   It had to be a setup. Thats all Nia could think of. Should she be mad? She was mad. No maybe she wasn't but they forced her to face him. Put her in the same room as him knowingly.

   She couldn't imagine how he felt. Nia had messed up, hurt his feelings and he hasn't acknowledged her since that awful day two weeks ago. Nia had a breakdown. I mean god who would want to be her friend? Especially Brainy after witnessing it.

   “Nia? Can you help me with the desks again?” Lena asks. Nia turned to her trying to fight the glare that was already peeking its way through her features. Nia couldn't tell what Lena was feeling. She was a very hard woman to read but a small part of Nia hoped that the women knew Nia herself was upset.

   “Yes,” Nia said. She walked over and in silence went to pick up a desk. It felt heavier. Everything felt a little heavier with him in the room. The air felt thicker and her lungs felt weaker.

   She could hear his scribbles on the note cards between the scraps on the desks against the floor if she couldn't pick it up all the way. The low sounding hum of the ac that turned on every few minutes. But him, him mostly she could hear and her thoughts were all about him.

   She would have said sorry. Nia wanted to say sorry, she so badly wanted to. She would have! That wasn't a lie but here Lena and Kara were again pushing her. Could Nia even be mad? Nia hurt someone's feelings and hasn't apologized. Maybe this was her punishment for punching Jesscia in the face.

   It was a cruel punishment. Making her be in the room with the boy she hurt. The one person who had been nice to her, knew her name at this school. It had to be well throughout. Nia wanted to be mad, a part of ehr really was. She couldn't believe Kara would plan this again after what happened. She said she wouldn't push her and in Kara's defense she hasn't but this? This hurt.

   She leaned against one of the desks on her hands squeezing the edges. The wagon Brainy had squeaked as he started pulling it again.

   “Let me help you.” Lena moved and opened the door holding it for him. Nia took a breath. A deep inhale once he was free of the room. The air still felt as thick from when he was there but she forced herself to take deep breaths anyway.

   “Is this my punishment?” She asked as soon as she heard the door close.

   “What do you mean? I thought we already went over this?” Nia looked up seeing Lena walk to her desk. She sat down in her chair picking up her own bottle taking a drink from it.

   “Brainy,” Nia says back. 

   “Brainy what? He helps me.” Nia's mouth fell open. 

   “You know exactly what,” Nia fired back. She let go of the desk and stomped up to Lenas. Lena didnt move, didnt flinch, just stared at the teen. How could she stare like she didnt know? How could she be quiet like she didnt know? It built inside Nia. Slowly turning and turning and growing till she couldnt take it anymore.  “Cut the crap Lena!” Nia yelled. 

   “Would you like to rephrase that Miss Nal?” Her last name being used sent a cold flare throughout Nia. A danger single she was approaching but she didnt back down.

   “No I would not!” Lena crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair raising an eyebrow. A silence settled and the look was a swift kick to the gut knocking down any confidence Nia had in this conversation. “Well- ok fine yes. I know what you are Kara are doing. Your scheming! I can tell and-”

    “Nia Brainy is one of my top students. He helps me with everything. We’re not pushing you. Sure ok maybe having you be here too is a little scheme Kara created but she's allowing you to choose how it goes. Its been two weeks since-”

   ”The pizza incident.” 

   “Yes, the pizza incident and you want to apologize. I know you do, so just do it. Brainy is a nice boy and he will understand. We’ve eaten so much chinese food I could even go for a pineapple pizza at this point.”

    “You guys can still...go you know.” Nia didnt want them to not go somewhere because of her. Had she ruined them? She crashed so many of there dinners by now maybe they were getting annoyed with her.

    “Oh, as if we'd ever do that. Our dinner is I think mine and Kara's favorite time of the day and thats because of you Nia.” Lena said it as if she heard Nias thoughts. As if she could hear every worried thought. It calmed her but it still left the main problem at hand.

   “I hurt him,” Nia said softly. She had to force her eyes away from Lenas green ones. Nia fiddled with her figures needing to do something with her hands. “How can I face him?”

   “You just did didnt you? Nia darling you're building it up in your head. I understand the voice in your head is trying to protect you but right now its hurting you. Nothing terrible will come from talking to Brainy. It might hurt and maybe there is a small chance he wont accept it but I have a very strong feeling he will and I'm never wrong. If I am wrong I’ll give you anything you want.”

   “Anything?” Nia asked, perking up. Lena chuckled, nodding. “If you're wrong then...I get anything?”

   “Thats what I said isn't it.” Nia chewed on her lip. Lena was right, she was never wrong but this was different. Feelings weren't science. Lena was good at science and figuring out problems. Hell Lena probably ran the chess club for all Nia knew but this was so much different than that. Lena would be wrong. But what if Nia was

   “If I'm wrong then what happens?” Nia asks.

  “Same thing.” Nia huffed. She didnt know how to feel about that. What could Lena Luthor want? Maybe Nia too leave her and Kara alone for one night. But Nia wouldn't be wrong, she was sadly set on the fact Brainy wouldn't accept her apology.

   “Deal.” Nia lent out her hand. Lena sat up and shook it. Nia felt what she had again so many times today. Dread. Dread, because god that look on Lenas face. Lena was never wrong and that scared Nia.

   Nia pulled her hand away and turned to go finish setting up the desks. She moved about three into place by the time Brainy came back. This time entering the room first before pulling the wagon in. He had five more robots in his wagon. 

   Nia looked at his back. She had to say sorry. It was simple, walk up to him and just say it. Right? That was it and then face the backlash of him saying she was an emotional wreck or a bad person. Or even maybe some smart words thrown into her face that just confused her.

   She grabbed another desk moving it into place. Only a few were left across the room. The last line of desks was almost complete. Nia was glad for once the gym teachers actually made them work out. 

   “Brainy?” She asks walking up next to him. He finished scribbling a name down before looking at her.

   “Yes?” He asks. Say sorry, Nia thought. Just say it and then it will all be over.

   “Uh-Can I help you?” She wanted to hit herself. That was far from saying sorry and now she just trapped herself even more! She could hear the light chuckle of Lena from her desk. She had to squeeze her nails into the palm of her hand to stop herself from turning around and yelling at her.

   “Each robot has a number on it that correlates to the team. There's a paper with the wagon with the numbers and names. You can finish writing the rest down.” Nia smiled stiffly. Brainy didnt seem to notice setting down a stack of note cards and his pen.

   “T-Thanks.” Nia snatched it up quickly grabbing the paper from the wagon. 

   She's never moved so fast, deflating in the chair next to Lenas desk. She sank so far she was basically lying on the chair then anything. Nia groaned, squeezing her eyes shut.

   “That didnt seem like an I’m sorry.”

   “Shut up,” Nia groaned. She sat up in the chair getting everything Brainy gave her on the clean spot of Lenas desk.

   “What happened?” 

  “Dont wanna talk about it.” Nia gave Brainy a glance. He wasn't looking at them to focused on setting another robot up. “Just...silence,” she sighed.

   Lena understood and let Nia write in silence. Nia couldn't believe how stupid she was being. Now she was stuck here writing down all these names because she had to say that! BEcause Nia couldn't apologize. Was she selfish? Did she want to punish herself? Maybe that was it, maybe some twisted part of herself wanted to punish herself.

   But Brainy didnt deserve it. Nia didnt want to get Brain caught up in whatever she was feeling or going through. Nia had already somehow caught two teachers between her fingers and the worst part was Nia was attached. Nia couldn't let go and she didnt want to. She found comfort in the one place she never thought she would.

   She glanced up through her hair at Lena. Lena had shown her so much kindness. Lena had held her when she sobbed, had a full breakdown and it meant the world. Kara had done the same, they had opened up there lives to ehr and they didnt have to. Nia caused so many problems already and yet here they were helping.

   Here they were scheming and pushing Nia to do the right thing. Nia hated it, she hated the pushiness but what Lena had said earlier was right. Kara was giving her the choice. Kara was putting Brainy right in front of her so Nia was forced to face her fear. Nia didnt want to face him, it was clear as day she didnt want to. 

   She wanted to yell at Kara for putting her in this situation but it wouldn't have happened if Nia hadn't done what Nia did. Now Nia was being given a choice. She could pass it up, she could let Brainy leave. She could let him leave and have the feeling inside of her build and burn and kill her slowly or she could face him. She could face him and actually say sorry this time.

   Nias writing was quick. It was scribbled and the letters smudged together but it was good enough and fast enough. She stood, the chair scraping against the floor with the small stack of name cards in her hands. 

   “Brainy? I wrote them all.” He looked up at her from the robot surprised. She lent her hand out to him and he took the cards. She nervously picked at her fingers. 

   “Thank you,” a small smile graced his face for a second. 

   “Do you- could I- If you want help you? With-With the bots?” She asks. She tilted her head to the empty wagon and his eyes followed.

   “Oh, sure. There's another wagon in the storage room we could get more.” Nia nodded. Brainy moved and grabbed the wagon handle pulling it.

   She stumbled over her feet to the door holding it open for him. “Lena-” she started but was cut off.

   “I heard.” Nia bit her lip. Ok, it would be ok, she told herself. Nia shut the door once Brainy was through and the two were left in the empty school hallway.

   Nia had walked these halls so many times with Kara and Lena. Kara would take her to Lenas almost every day after school to pick her up for dinner. Sometimes Lena wouldnt come and they would bring food to Lena.

  It was different with him. The feeling felt so much different and all Nia could think about was how bad she felt. God that was selfish of her, thinking about herself when it was his feelings, maybe she did deserve this she wondered.

   “You help Lena a lot?” Nia settled for. 

   “Yes, I’m the most capable out of everyone.” Nia smiled as he said it. “I’ve helped her every year I've been here.”

   “How many years is that?’ She asks him.

   “I’m a Junior, skipped a grade. Would have skipped more but...something stopped me.” Nia wanted to ask why but she didnt. She felt like it wasn't her place to ask him. She needed to say sorry to him, questions like this conversations like this were for friends. She wasn't his friend. “Do you help Mrs.Danvers?”

   Nia cringed as she had the realization. Names, she had called Lena by her first anime instead of Mrs.Luthor. She had gotten so used to them she had forgotten. “No...I-I guess if she needs it but...its complicated.”

   “Well they seem to like you. They helped and got you out of trouble for punching that girl.” Nia could have flinched. She almost did, not expecting Brainy of all people to bring it up.

   “Ya,” Nia mumbled. She wrapped her arms around herself squeezing her body. “I don't know what exactly they did, they wouldn't tell me.”

   “Jesscia deserved more,” Brainy grumbled. “A lot of people are with you you know?”

   “What?” Nia asks, confused looking up at him. “What do you mean with me?”

   “They agree you had a right to punch her. I do, I think what she did was wrong and I have a plan.”

   “You have a plan,” Nia choked out. A grin appeared on his face one that sent little butterflies throughout Nia that she quickly shoved down into a burning pool of fire.

   “Well of course,” he scoffed. “She needs something slow, something that will nag at her, something so painful she will bust!” Nia jumped in the hallway. 

   ‘What...is that?” Nia asked in fear. She actually feared what Brainy would say. He was smart, did he like chemistry? Nia hopes he didnt because that just made her fear grow even more. What could he do? What could he make?

   “Pom poms,” Brainy let out in disgust. “Those puffy colorful cheerleaders used to spread cheer.” He shivered at his own words. “I will secretly pull out pieces of her pom poms and cut them shorter. Slowly making her go crazy. All that pep and cheer no more! Only insanity!”

   “I-” Nia stopped. She stood watching the boy walk a couple feet before he stopped. Pom poms. Brainy had created an entire plan to turn a transphobic cheerleader named Jesscia crazy for her. “I'm sorry.”

   “What?” Why?” He asks, confused. “I don't understand.”

   “I-I’m sorry for what I said two weeks ago. For calling you brainiac at the pizza shop. I-I was having a bad day and my anger happened to fall upon you and you didnt deserve it. God Brainy you're so sweet and nice and you didnt deserve it! You're here helping me when I was a jerk and have been too far in my head to face you. I'm sorry Brainy.” Brainy stood still. She couldn't read him and her heart pulled in her chest.

   “Brainiac?” He repeated. She nodded her head. She didnt know where this was going but she accepted her fate. She was ready to accept whatever cruel words this sweet boy would throw at her or whatever devious plan he had to turn her insane. “Why would I be upset over that.”

   Nia faltered. Her brain stopped. What? Echoed through ehr head. Did he just ask that? Nia stared at him like he was the insane one now. He probably shared the same confused look she had covered her face.

   “I am the smartest person in this school Nia. Probably even smarter then Mrs.Luthor.”

   “D-Don’t tell her that,” was all Nia could get out. “But you- you looked upset. You went away?” She asks.

   “You were upset,” he said. “You needed a moment alone with them. I had interrupted at a bad time and it was awkward.”

   “Awkward! You left because it was awkward!” She yelled. “I-I thought you hated me! I thought I ruined the one maybe friendship I had because of calling you that! You watched me have a breakdown!”

   “Nia,” Brainy smiles softly at her. “If anyone is deserving of a breakdown it is those who have had bad experiences piled on top of them.” She gulped. Her chest tightened. He stepped forward to her slowly letting go of the wagon. He gently grabbed one of her hands squeezing it. “I was told once to shove all my feelings in little boxes, it didnt go well. We all have our moments and its good to let them out.”

   “I'm sorry,” Nia repeated. 

   “I know.”

   “Pom poms?” Nia asks after a moment. She couldn't help but laugh now the tears in her eyes were more happy than anything. “God Brainy, if you weren't my friend before you definitely are now.” She froze. She shouldn't have said that but he didnt look mad.

   “I wouldnt turn cheerleaders insane just for anyone.”

   “You know,” Nia laughed to herself. “I was afraid you meant something much worse when you were explaining your plan.” Brainy's face dropped. He looked around the hallway before raising an eyebrow at her.

   “Like balloons?” He asks with such seriousness Nia knew he wasn't joking. “I'm not that despicable.” He pulled back, shaking his head. “Perhaps If she does it again though.”

   Nia made a mental note to ask about balloons later. But Brainy wasn't mad. Brainy wasn't mad and- Lena won. Lena luthor one the deal. Nia saw the look on her own face. Oh how dumb she was, she really thought she would beat Lena. How could she think that?

   Nia wanted to laugh at herself. She could have doubled over laughing so hard she was gasping for air Instead she walked forward grabbing the wagon and pulled it with Brainy next to her. Nia was so, so incredibly in for it now.

   Getting the robots was much easier with two people. They were able to strategically fit the rest of the robots in the two wagons. Walking back with Brainy was a fresh breath of air Nia didnt know she needed

   Nia had a friend. Nia made a friend and Brainy wasn't upset with her. She wasn't alone. She wasn't alone here anymore. She had someone to talk to and do friends things with.

   To go to arcades or movies or whatever teens did here. She had someone to even nerd out with o the secret nerdy things she liked but would never say out loud. She had Brainy and Brainy was sweet and nice and cared about her enough to do something like what he planned to on Jesscia. And he also planned something with balloons which Nia was partly too afraid to ask what could be terrifying about balloons.

    It turned one of her worst days into being her best day ever. She had felt so bad all throughout the day. A stupid girl made her feel like something gross and when the anger piled inside of her she punched. Then it was chaotic and dread, dread, dread but Kara helped Lena helped and then the rollercoaster of the day ended with her having a friend and everything being alright.

    Once they got to the classroom Lena didnt say anything. She didnt look up at the two kids as they pulled there wagons in and put out all the robots.

   Nias handwriting was legible enough to work. NBrainy had said next time maybe he should write the cards and Nia had to agree. Her handwriting was messy and it didnt help she had been trying to go faster so she could talk to Brainy.

   “Thank you for the help. I shall update you on the pom pom plan.”

   “Do...you want my number?” Nia asks nervously. They were near a corner of the desks farthest away from Lena.

   “Oh yes.” Nia was quick taking Brainy's phone and typing her number in. “Thank you, this will be easier. Bye Mrs.Luthor.” Brainy said as he walked away from Nia.

   Lena looked up at him, “bye Brainy thank you for helping.” He left out the door. Nia couldn't take her eyes off the door. She gave him her number. She gave someone her number, she gave brainy her number.”

   “Don't say it,” Nia let out. She could already hear Lena's voice.

   “I wont but-” The door to the classroom burst open. Kara smiled brightly jumping like a little kid in a candy shop.

   “You did it!” Kara yelled out. She tackled Nia into the desk. The teen grabbed the edge of a desk and used her other arm to wrap around Kara.

   “You're annoying,” Nia said but leaned into the hug more. Say it, Nia said to herself. “Thank you,” Nia whispered so softly. “For everything,” she added. Kara's arms squeezed her tighter and seconds later Nia felt another pair of arms wrap around them.

   “She gave him her number,” Lena whispered.

   “Nia!” Kara yelled, pulling back. “I'm so proud of you!” Warmth flooded Nia. She couldn't help but look down. She did it. All in one day she said sorry and made a friend.

   “I wouldn't have done it without your relentless pestering and scheming. Which by the way really! You trapped me!” Nia yelled. Kara looked guilty but smiled. She turned around and went to Lenas desk pulling up a chair for herself. 

   “Darling you did need the help and I was right, wasn't I?” Lena asks. She walked over to her chair behind her desk.

   “Maybe,” Nia grumbled. They all knew Lena was right of course they all did but Nia didnt want to fully outright admit it. “So what do you want?’ Nia asks after a moment. She slowly walked up and sat down in her own chair.

   “You my sweet Nia are now in my class.” Nia felt like she was hearing things. Had she heard that right. Did Lena just say that?

   “You-Your joking,” she sputtered. Lena smirked sitting up in her chair.

   “Am I?” She asks, raising an eyebrow. “You showed interest, robots are cool.”

   “Im not smart-”

   “But you are,” Lena pushed. “You are so smart and I am here to teach you. Classes are for learning Nia. You're not going to know something if you were never taught it. Sure maybe you'll like the class, maybe you'll be good at it but if you really don't want it after trying it you can leave.”

   “You promise?” Nia asks slowly. Trapped. Nia was so trapped. She wasn't made for science. She wasn't made for the numbers or physics or whatever else was involved. She wasn't made for that but she couldn't argue.

   She couldn't argue with the idea of Lena wanting to teach ehr. Lena believed in her. She believed in her enough to put her in her own class. A Lena Luthor class was a bloodbath to get into. There was always a flood of parents trying to fight for there kid to be taught by the smartest woman alive.

   It meant something. It meant more than it should have but Nia craved it. Nia craved that belief that someone was proud of her. That someone believed in her to do something. Lena was never wrong, Lena was never wrong and she believed in her.

   “Are you ok honey?” Kara asks, noticing the few tears that brimmed Nias eyes. Nia quickly wiped them away smiling. Because she was ok, she was more than ok.

   “I'm so ok,” Nia breathed out. “You're sure?”

   “Sometimes I wonder if you're aware of how smart I am.” Nia laughed. She leaned back in her seat mustering up all the confidence she could.

   “Your ego is too high, sometimes you need to be shot down a little.”

   “Oh really? So how smart am I Miss Nal?”

   “Average.”

   “Average!” Lena gasps. “I'll have you know I am farthest from average. Not that the average is wrong or anything and I'm not gloating! I-”

   “Lena,” Kara laughs, extending her hand to grab her wife's arm, rubbing it soothingly. “She's pushing you and you're letting her.”

   “She!” Lena huffed out motioning to the younger girl on the chair. Nia couldn't hold back her laughter. The flustered and annoyed look on Lenas face. The way she fell back down into her chair and the comforting look Kara was giving her. “She's practically insufferable.”

   “Ooo big words, you must be so smart,” Nia mocks. “Would you like a gold star with that Lena?”

   “Can I retract my statement?” Lena asks, looking at Kara.

   “You know you don't want to,” Kara smiled. Nia watched as the two shared a look. One that Nia wasn't invited in on but it was with soft smiles and Lena resting her hand over Karas with a gentle squeeze. There look was filled with a warmth. “Come on, pizza?”

   “Of course.”

   “Ready for the pineapple pizza Lena?” Nia asks, standing. 

   “Don't you dare,” Lena let out. She could see the mischievous look Nia had in her eyes. Nia was thinking of the conversation the two of them had earlier. The one where Lena had mentioned that she could even go for some pineapple pizza.

   Nia wouldn't tell though. The look on Kara's face was enough. She had successfully annoyed them both and Nia was happy. She was happy and she felt...ok. She felt ok and warm like she always did with them. Her mind flickered for a moment to her grandparents.

   Thinking about how she wishes they would love her like this. They would love her enough to care, to push her. To let her make mistakes and push her but still give her the choice to fix them or not. Kara and Lena...cared. 

  They cared so much they held her during a full on breakdown. They took her out for dinners. They let her yell at them, let her get all her feelings and pent up anger out before trying to fix it. Trying to make her feel better or even understand. 

   Her grandparents might not have cared but they did. They really really did and Nia didnt want this to hit her now. Didnt want the realization to flood over her but here she was standing in this classroom having the full realization, they were the parent figures she needed.

   They were the warmth she was craving for. They were the home she needed when she was thrown out. They were the one thing her grandparents should be. They opened there arms to her and...cared.

   “I,” Nia started. It made the two of them stop and look up at her. She flushed shifting. “I...care about you both,” she let out. Other words were too big. Other words were too much but this, this could work.

   “We care about you too, Nia,” Lena said. The woman sent her a smile that just made Nia feel way too much.

   “We do care about you very much. Now come on dork we need to get to J’onns pizza shop before the rush hits.” Kara was grabbing her hand tugging her towards the door.

   Kara was tugging her and Nia stumbled in her own head. Her heart falling down into the hand that held her own. I love you, Nia said to herself. I love you both and thank you, she wanted to scream but bit on her tongue.

   She didnt have nothing, maybe it was selfish to say she did. Her parents were gone and that hurt and she couldn't stay on that thought for long without a breakdown that couldn't be held back. Her grandparents abandoned her but Nia didnt have nothing. She had people who cared and she could look up to and lean onto when she needed them.

   She had Kara and Lena who were her home. Who offered Nia there home, there heart and Nia loved them. Fuck Nia loved them.