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Tim didn’t expect heroism to make him feel so helpless.
Maybe if he’d just avoided Nelson Adams like usual that day, none of this would have happened. But no, that would only have delayed the inevitable. And after everything Jason had done for him, Tim could make a few sacrifices to return the favor.
He just didn’t expect it to hurt quite this much.
It had all started when Nelson waved him over after the last bell. And yeah, Tim had no love lost on the guy after what he did to Jason, and yeah, it was naive to trust his friendly smile. But just about nobody in his classes smiled at him, and if Nelson was turning a new leaf after Tim taught him a lesson, he could at least be civil, right?
In hindsight, that “lesson” of his was one of his worst ideas to date. If he’d picked something more subtle, maybe Nelson wouldn’t have started using his brain.
“Timothy Drake! Just who I wanted to see.” Nelson’s grin was as smooth as his hair gel. Students buzzed past through the hall, their chatter making Nelson’s words barely audible. His three friends leaned against the lockers nearby, but Tim wasn’t exactly intimidated. They’d kept their distance after the incident in the bathroom. And even though Tim’s old blackmail was useless now that Nelson’s parents were divorced on public record, he could still bluff his way through a conversation if it turned out Nelson hadn’t gotten over it and wasn’t smiling just to be chummy.
“What can I do for you, Nelson?” Tim said, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning his weight on one leg. With any luck, this would be quick and he’d make it to Alfred’s car before Jason started blowing up his phone.
“Oh, just wanted to ask how you’re settling in at the Waynes’. I’m sure that’s a big change.”
Tim barely refrained from wrinkling his nose, both at Nelson’s words and his overpowering cologne. If this was Nelson’s attempt at a counter-attack, it was a pretty weak one. The guy wasn’t exactly a detective. There was little chance he knew more about the foster situation than the media, and even the reporters’ scraps were scarce thanks to Bruce. “It’s going fine, thank you. It’s been over a month now.”
“Good. I admit I’ve been concerned. I know you’re friends with that… what’s his name? Right, Jason. But he’s not exactly the most upstanding citizen, so I was afraid things might have changed now that you're living in the same house.”
Awfully bold words to say about the literal Robin. Tim’s face heated, but he forced a thin smile. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“You don’t?” Nelson’s eyes widened in a way that made Tim’s stomach twist. He slid his phone out of his pocket. “Well, if you’re his friend, you really ought to know. He has… an unfortunate habit.” He angled his screen so only Tim could see.
The blood drained from Tim’s face. That was Jason, leaning against the back of the school in his uniform. And sticking out of his mouth was a glass pipe Tim had seen countless times among the addicts in Crime Alley.
“That can’t be real,” Tim breathed. “Jason hates drugs!” After what happened to his mother, Jason barely tolerated painkillers for major injuries. There was no way he’d go near crack of all things.
“Given where he came from, it’s unfortunately not surprising.” Saccharine pity soaked Nelson’s tone. “I’ve been debating whether to show this to the office. I’d hate to get him expelled, though. You know how touchy GA gets about drugs, with how ugly things get in the public schools.”
A pit opened up in Tim’s stomach. He doctored that photo. No, it looks real enough he probably paid someone to do it. Maybe there’s some way to prove it’s fake, but would the principal even be willing to dig that deep into it? She already dislikes Jason to begin with. Failing to fit high society rules didn’t win Jason many friends at Gotham Academy.
Mom’s gala rules could only carry him so far. Time to cut the crap. “What do you want, Nelson?”
“Nothing,” Nelson said, tucking his phone away. He turned to leave with a smug smile twitching at his mouth. “Just figured Jason’s best friend might want to know.”
As Nelson and his buddies joined the crowd of students flowing down the hall, Tim stood frozen, sweat beading on his brow. Even as his phone buzzed with the first of Jason’s what’s taking you so long texts, he could only stare at nothing.
What have I gotten myself into?