Chapter Text
Casey can’t stop thinking about the first time she laid eyes on her. She had never met anyone so enchanting.
Rose Wilson.
A young girl with bluish-white hair, (a very unique color for hair) a blue shirt with a skull, a dark blue skirt covered by an orange sweater she has tied on her waist, and piercings on her ears.
Despite what her punk rock appearance would suggest, Rose was actually a warm, bright, kind young lady. The kindest girl Casey had ever met.
To her, Rose was much like her best friend Zee Zatara-without the stubborn arrogance and lack of self-awareness.
Rose was wise, understanding and kind, though she wasn’t afraid to take a stand when she needs to. She really is the whole package, Casey thought as she recalled the day they met.
It was a nice Friday afternoon during a chilly autumn. Casey and Zee were sitting together, having lunch in the school cafeteria. Cheese pizza, as per the Friday norm. They were having a good time, talking smack about Ms. Moone’s ridiculous pop quizzes.
Then along came Barbara Gordon, Zee’s cheery, energetic friend, and Karen Beecher, the shy girl of Zee’s friend group. Only this time, they were talking and laughing with another student. A girl with bluish-white hair and the attire of a punk rock rebel.
Casey found her quite pretty. Not as gorgeous and stunning as Zee; her beauty was more humble, but Casey liked it.
“Who’s that girl, Zee?” Casey asked her bestie.
“Oh, that’s Rose Wilson. Babs’ friend with an assassin for a dad. Looks like she’s moved back to town,” Zee replied.
Babs, Karen and Rose approached the duo and greeted them. “Hey, Zee. Carly,” Babs said.
“Casey, Bat-jerk,” Casey replied grumpily. Babs apologized.
“Forgive her, Case. She’s not great at names,” Karen spoke up. “But this girl is! Ladies, this is Rosie!”, Karen properly presented Rose to the girls.
“Hi, guys. Nice to meet you both,” the new girl politely greeted as she offered her hand to Zee.
“Oh, Rosie! Babs talks about you a lot! Nice to formally meet you as well!” Zee sweetly greeted Rose as she held her hand and shook it.
“Love your magic shows, Zee. Been to a few myself. That thumb trick never gets it,” Rose complimented the magician with a warm smile.
“Oh, you,” A blushing Zee replied. Rose then turned to Casey.
“Hey, uh.. Katie, right?”, Rose asked the small girl, who politely corrected her with a “Casey”.
“Nice to meet you. Although, I think Babs told me you tried to steal all their superpowers and expose their identities?” Rose asked with a cold expression on her face, which intimidated Casey.
“Uhh.. I’m not proud of that. But I’m all better now. I learned to just appreciate what I got and not be all jelly,” Casey replied with a nervous smile. She didn’t know why she was nervous about this new girl knowing about the worst thing she’s ever done.
Rose suddenly frowned at Casey and slowly leaned closer to her, looking at her straight in the eyes. Casey backed away timidly and slowly.
After a few seconds, Rose smiled and with a drastically enhappified demeanor, said, “Aw, that’s awesome! Congrats on realizing the importance of self-love and empathy!”
Casey was both flattered and confused by the new girl’s dramatic change in attitude. She kinda admired how understanding yet bold she was.
“Thanks a lot.. Rose, was it?” Casey responded.
“Yep. How exactly did you manage to make big changes for yourself, Casey?” Rose asked.
“Uh, it’s a long story. Umm, I just.. I was so sick of being a miserable jerk no one liked and Miss Prissypants over here..” Casey explained as she playfully nudged Zee on the shoulder. “I was jealous of her. I wanted everything she had. I hated her. So stinking much! But then, she taught me that it’s better to change yourself on the inside. And so… I did. Next thing I know, I’m saving the world from myself! You hear about that incident with those giant powerful witches fighting downtown? That was me fighting an evil past version of myself! I guess that could symbolize me defeating my dark side. Right, Zee?”
“Yeah..” Zee chuckled. She and Casey continued to laugh until they saw the confused glances of Rose, Babs and Karen.
“You’d have to be us to get it,” Casey replied.
“That all sounds cool! I’m happy you guys are friends! Well, I gotta get to class. See you around!” Rose said.
“Bye,” Zee and Casey bid farewell to her as she left with Karen and Babs. Rose looked back at Casey and gave her a wink, a smile and a finger bang. Casey found herself blushing at Rose’s warm gestures. She suddenly found her quite pretty.
“Told you she was sweet,” Zee said to a smitten Casey.
“You did?” Casey asked absentmindedly.
As the days went by, Casey kept thinking more and more about Rose. Her kindness, her boldness and her sweet voice. In the halls, Casey would pass her by and Rose would greet her warmly, either with a quick hand wave or a sweet smile with her eyes closed.
One day, they were in gym class. Rose was playing badminton with Babs, Diana, Karen, Tatsu and a black girl. From afar, Casey watched her while sitting on the bleachers.
Why is she such a nice person? Especially to me? Does she…like me or something? Maybe she’s just nice to everyone. How can somebody be that nice in this cruel world? Casey asked herself as she rested her chin on her hand and continued to stare at Rose.
Maybe I should try to get to know her better. Learn about her more. But don’t get too clingy, Casey. Best to keep your stalking days behind you.
Casey sighed and continued to stare at the happy girl. Every time she laughed, jumped or cheered, Casey’s heart warmed. Why was this girl so amazing?
“Casey. I thought you were done with being creepy,” someone said.
Those words brought Casey back to earth. She looked to her right and there was Zee, staring right at her.
“Zee? How long were you sitting there?” Casey asked.
“Long enough to see that you’re obsessed with Rose Wilson,” Zee said. “Do you…like her?”
“What?! No! No. She’s.. no! I just…happen to think she’s neat. She’s nice. She’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’s someone I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life with…HOLY CRUD, I LIKE HER!” Casey realized.
“Aww. Casey! That’s so sweet! You two would make a cute couple. But if you’re gonna like her, maybe talk to her instead of stare at her like the creepy stalker I used to know?” Zee squeaked.
“Maybe don’t bring up that little episode so much?” Casey asked. “Anyway, I don’t know what I could say.”
“Just walk up to her, say hi and ask her if you’d like to hang out tonight. As friends. Then you’ll have enough time to woo her,” Zee replied.
Casey didn’t want to talk to Rose. She knew she’d somehow make her uncomfortable. She rarely talks to anyone besides Zee and when she does, the conversations end fast. Whether Casey says something weird or runs out of things to say, her attempts at socializing fail.
But Casey also knew that she couldn’t keep these feelings inside her forever. And who knows? If it turns out Rose isn’t into girls, maybe that’ll make Casey forget about her.
“Will you stick by my side?” Casey asked Zee meekly.
“What are friends for?” Zee asked rhetorically with a gentle smile.
Casey smiled right back as she walked up to Rose.