by Lisa Yee
Wonder Woman winked at Hawkgirl, who ignored her. So she winked again and again until Hawkgirl kicked her under the table.
“Sure, why not,” Lois said casually. “I’d love to join you.”
“Well, well, look who’s leaving,” Hawkgirl said pointing to the back table.
Ratcatcher, Captain Cold, and Heat Wave from CAD Academy were sneaking out the back door.
“Hi, guys!” Wonder Woman said, waving. “No hard feelings, I hope!”
“No hard feelings,” Captain Cold said, shoving the tray of food Steve was carrying into his chest.
“Hey!” Wonder Woman protested. “I thought you were going to start being nice to Steve.”
She reached for her lasso, but Steve stopped her. “Wonder Woman, it’s okay. Really,” he said as the remains of a spinach salad ran down his shirt. “Please don’t do that.”
“Okay,” she said, returning to her seat.
She could hear the boys outside chanting, “Live evil!”
For the rest of the time at the diner, it seemed that Steve was trying to avoid Wonder Woman. When he brought her favorite kale chips and strawberry banana smoothie, he didn’t look her in the eye. Wonder Woman wondered if she had done something wrong.
The girls chatted and chewed and had a great time discussing the upcoming Super Triathlon. Everyone had guesses about who’d be on the team. Wonder Woman tried not to get excited when her name kept coming up. At last, when all the smoothies were drained and all the kale chips and veggie pizzas had been devoured, it was time to go.
“You all go ahead,” Hawkgirl said to the others. “Wondy and I have some errands to run in town.”
“We do?” Wonder Woman asked, surprised. She couldn’t remember what that might be. When she saw Hawkgirl giving her a hard look, she got it. “We do, we do,” she said. “Errands, lots of them. Yep. Errands. To run. We’re going to run to do the errands!”
Harley, Katana, and Poison Ivy took off, and Lois, Hawkgirl, and Wonder Woman stayed back.
“I thought they’d never leave!” Hawkgirl exclaimed. “If I have to hear another Harley Quinn knock-knock joke, I think I’ll explode.”
“So,” Lois said, looking at Wonder Woman, “what do you have for me?”
“I still think it’s Mandy,” she said. “But now my grades are being compromised!”
Hawkgirl took out the tip of the blade. “It’s not Katana,” she said, pushing it across the table. “Katana said she was surprised to find the prong of her sai missing during the Weaponomics demonstration.”
“Do you believe her?” Lois asked.
“I do,” Hawkgirl said. “And her roommate, Poison Ivy, says the she didn’t leave her room that morning until after Wondy found the threatening note on her door.”
Lois wrote something down. “Okay, but that doesn’t necessarily clear her. Katana is really stealthy. She could have slipped away without Poison Ivy noticing. Ivy tends to get caught up in her own world.”
“But why would Katana want me out?” Wonder Woman asked. It made no sense.
“That’s true,” Hawkgirl added. “Katana has been a real friend to Wondy. However…”
As Hawkgirl filled Lois in on what Bumblebee had overheard between Principal Waller and Mandy Bowin, Wonder Woman watched Steve. He had returned to filling up the ketchup bottles and had lined them all up on the counter. She was impressed by the straight row he had made.
“Well, I have some information for the two of you,” Lois said, referring to her green reporter’s notebook. “Mandy has enrolled in an elite music conservatory. From what I could dig up, she seems happy and has not told anyone that she used to go to Super Hero High.
“So I took the liberty of asking Barbara Gordon to do some online sleuthing, and she found out that on Mandy’s Our Space page, she had written: Mandy Bowin, out. Wonder Woman, in. Someone’s super happy. But she deleted it almost as soon as she had written it.
So there it was. The evidence that Mandy was bitter. She must have been embarrassed to have been expelled. But what had she done that was so bad? Or had Principal Waller really dumped her, like Cheetah and some of the other kids were saying, to let Wonder Woman in? If that was the case, Wonder Woman felt she owed Mandy an apology. If it was Mandy trying to bring her down, Wonder Woman wanted to meet her and find out why.
Wonder Woman was getting dizzy with all the Mandy Bowin possibilities. How can someone I don’t even know have this power over me? she thought.
The next week was worse. Much worse.
Every morning, Wonder Woman awoke to a mailbox filled with cryptic messages.
Beware, Wonder Woman, your time is running out.
Your powers are nothing compared to mine. Want to see?
Don’t bother saving the world—save yourself instead!
Other than Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman wasn’t sure whom she could trust, and she wanted to trust everyone. However, Katana did have a missing blade. At the last Science Club meeting, Poison Ivy accidentally blew up the Powerful Power Powder that Wonder Woman was concocting. And Harley was always posting embarrassing videos of her.
“There are some super heroes among us who will go on to be great leaders and role models,” Principal Waller was saying at the assembly. “There are others who will tap into the dark side, and—though our goal is to help you avoid this—go on to be super-villains.” There was a discernible shift in the audience as the Supers glanced suspiciously at some of their classmates.
“Our next Super Hero of the Month is in the first category,” The Wall continued.
Wonder Woman held her breath. She had crossed so many things off of her to-do list, but not this one. Not yet. Other than her life being threatened, and being made fun of on HQTV, and her mother telling her she might be pulled out of school, and her weird feelings of pleasing discomfort when she saw Steve Trevor, things had been going really well for Wonder Woman. Maybe this would be her month!
“Our next Super Hero of the Month is…”
Wonder Woman sat up straight and adjusted her tiara. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense that it might be her. She had been doing well in her classes, had saved several lives, and had earned honors, like her school record for Save the Day.
When Principal Waller announced the next ambassador, Wonder Woman stood up!
“Poison Ivy, please come up to the stage,” Waller said.
Surprised, Wonder Woman quickly sat down as the rest of the students leapt up to cheer Poison Ivy on.
“You really didn’t think you’d win, did you?” Cheetah asked, laughing.
“I…I…,” Wonder Woman stammered.
“I know,” Frost jumped in. “I know you’re full of yourself.”
Wonder Woman shivered as she watched her friend make her way to the stage. Poison Ivy glowed with such happiness that when she laughed, flowers rained down from the auditorium’s ceiling.
“This student,” Principal Waller exclaimed, plucking a daffodil from her shoulder and tossing it aside, “has done something extraordinary for the city of Metropolis, and in turn for all of us.”
As the video began to play, the students were treated to a desolate display of dirt and rocks. THEN appeared on the screen. In the next scene, the same area had been transformed, and NOW appeared over a bountiful garden of fruits and vegetables.
“Thanks to Poison Ivy and her love of plants and science, this community garden benefits all of our Metropolis neighbors. Created to help the hungry, there is enough food here to feed dozens of individuals and families.”
To Wonder Woman’s surprise, Steve Trevor appeared on the screen. He looked nervous.
“Um, hey,” he said. “Are you recording? Oh, you are? Okay. My name’s Steve, and I’m a volunteer here at Met Fam Farm. Er, that’s what we call Metropolis Family Farm. Thanks to Poison Ivy, those in need have a place to get wholesome fresh food. Um, is the video camera still on? Can I do this over?”
Poison Ivy was totally deserving of the title, Wonder Woman reminded he
rself. Totally, completely, awesomely deserving. Even if Ivy hadn’t meant to create a community farm, but had instead been trying to build something entirely different…a new weapon made of plants that did your bidding.
Dr. Arkham released an audible sigh when Wonder Woman wanted to talk rather than take her weekly power nap. He put his pillow back under his desk and sat up straight in his chair.
“Yes, yes, well, stress is something that even the most adept super heroes have to learn to cope with,” Dr. Arkham said as he pressed his fingertips together. “I do hope all the books I’ve been giving you have helped.”
Wonder Woman didn’t tell him that she had resorted to speed-reading. Unfortunately, whether she read them fast or slow, Wonder Woman still didn’t understand what they were about.
“A young super hero’s life can be divided into four categories,” Dr. Arkham said. “School, social life, sports, sleep,” he continued. “Pick three.”
“But I want to do all four,” Wonder Woman insisted.
“Tsk, tsk,” Arkham said. “Impossible! Which one are you going to do without?”
“Sleep?” Wonder Woman said. She thought they had already established that.
“Are you sure?” Dr. Arkham asked.
“Social?” Wonder Woman said.
“Are you sure?” Dr. Arkham asked.
“Sports?” Wonder Woman said.
“Are you sure?” Dr. Arkham asked.
“School?” Wonder Woman said.
“Are you sure?” Dr. Arkham asked.
This went on for the rest of the hour, leaving Wonder Woman thoroughly confused and unsure of what she really wanted. As they shook hands at the end of the session, Dr. Arkham yawned. “Goodbye, Wonder Woman. See you next week. And in the meantime, remember, no stress!”
All the Supers were on their best behavior. The Super Triathlon team was to be announced soon, and no one knew who the selection committee members were, which meant that they had to impress everyone. It was exhausting, especially for the students who had trouble being nice.
“Your hair doesn’t look half bad today,” Star Sapphire said to Wonder Woman. Golden Glider looked up from polishing her skates and laughed.
“Your speech on ‘Super Heroes Who Lived On Islands’ wasn’t totally boring,” Frost told Wonder Woman.
“I don’t like you,” Cheetah said.
Okay, maybe not all the super heroes were being nice to each other. And someone was being especially not nice to Wonder Woman. The stakes were getting higher. The latest threat had come in the form of a present. Wonder Woman had eagerly opened the pink box tied with a purple ribbon, but when she took off the lid, an army of mice exploded into the room.
“Cripes!” Harley had cried as the mice rained down on them. “If you’re going to do that, at least warn me so I can video it!”
“What is going on?” The Wall demanded. A thick file labeled W. Woman flew over to her. Without taking her eyes off Wonder Woman, Principal Waller snatched the file out of the air. “Thank you, Bumblebee,” she said.
Wonder Woman watched her friend buzz away and then turn big again before closing the office door behind her.
“Going on?” Wonder Woman repeated. “Um, I heard my hair only looks half bad today?”
There was silence as Principal Waller reviewed the file. Wonder Woman could see that it was from Dr. Arkham. When she finally put the folder down, The Wall asked, “Wonder Woman, what can you tell me about the mouse explosion in your dorm room?”
“Oh, that!” Wonder Woman said, wondering if she was in trouble. “All the mice survived.”
“Wonder Woman,” Principal Waller cautioned, “explosions outside the classroom are forbidden.” Wonder Woman saw that the principal was frowning, so she frowned, too. “I need you to tell me who did it,” Principal Waller continued. “Was it you or Harley? Or someone else?”
“I can’t tell you,” Wonder Woman said. She didn’t know the answer, and that was the truth.
“I see,” said Waller. “Harley claims it began raining mice, but she doesn’t know why or how. So I was hoping your memory was intact.”
“My memory still works,” Wonder Woman said. She closed her eyes and thought about her mother.
As if reading her mind, Principal Waller said, “Your mother wanted me to look out for you. I’m trying to do that, Wonder Woman.” She picked up the file. “Dr. Arkham seems to think that you’re very stressed. Is that true?”
Wonder Woman thought about it. Yes, she was stressed. But so was every student at Super Hero High. The training was grueling. Expectations were high. So much was demanded of them. Lives depended on it.
“I may be a little stressed,” Wonder Woman admitted.
“Hmm,” Principal Waller said, referring to a sheet of paper. “Seventeen clubs is a lot to be in. I’d recommend you pick one or two and drop the rest. As for the mouse explosion, if you’re covering for Harley, you’re not helping her.”
“It’s my fault!” Wonder Woman blurted. She didn’t want to get her roommate in trouble for something she didn’t do. If only she could figure out who was causing the commotions, then she could put a stop to it.
“I see,” the principal said. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to send you to after-school detention. You know the detention rules, don’t you? Check your weapons, power down, and pay your dues! At the end of the week, if no other rules have been broken, you can resume your normal life.”
What is normal? Wonder Woman asked herself.
“Do you have any questions?”
This was her chance. Should she ask? Principal Waller wouldn’t have asked if she had questions if she wasn’t willing to answer them, right?
“I do have one question,” Wonder Woman said. She was relieved that she’d finally get her answer.
“What is it?” Principal Waller said as she walked her to the door.
Wonder Woman gulped and blurted, “Is it true that you expelled Mandy Bowin to make room for me at Super Hero High?”
Wonder Woman was impressed. She had no idea someone could glare for so long without blinking. Finally, The Wall crossed her strong arms, arched an eyebrow, and said in her how-dare-you voice, “You weren’t talking to me, were you?”
Wonder Woman was speechless. She thought she’d been talking to her, but now she wasn’t so sure. Never in her time at Super Hero High had Wonder Woman felt so scared. Not when the Scarecrow was testing his new Fear Gas in Science Club and Wonder Woman couldn’t stop cringing for two days. Not when she’d walked into a history midterm test that she didn’t know about. Not when she ate goat cheese for the first time.
“Student. Files. Are. NEVER. Discussed,” Principal Waller stated firmly. “Not Mandy’s, not yours, no one’s! Instead of worrying about someone who is not here, you ought to worry about yourself!”
“But…,” Wonder Woman started to say. She shook her head and slowly backed out of the room. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed. “So sorry.”
And she was. She was sorry that she had brought up the question, and she was sorry that it was even a question in the first place. Wonder Woman had ignited the wrath of The Wall. Had Principal Waller insinuated that she would be the next person expelled? Then what? Back to Paradise Island as a failure? What would her mother think?
As Wonder Woman wandered down the hallway, Bumblebee sped up to her and gave her a hug. No words were needed.
By the time she got to phys ed, class was halfway over. Even though the relay race was something Wonder Woman normally excelled in, today she could hardly focus.
“Next two teams!” Wildcat growled as he looked at his students. His grisly voice and stocky build belied his speed and agility. Everyone shifted nervously. Wildcat was known to pounce with deadly accuracy when confronted.
Team One was made up of Hawkgirl and Green Lantern, with Cheetah anchoring. Team Two featured Star Sapphire, Beast Boy, and Wonder Woman bringing up the rear. The fifty-mile course circled Super Hero High three times and then wound
through the forest, along the cliffs, and down by the river and ended up back where the race had started. Instead of passing a baton, each team passed a fully charged Shock Stick.
“An added incentive to run fast,” Wildcat explained. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “The Shock Sticks are specially calibrated. If you slow down, you will be zapped. If you stop, you will be zapped. If you complain, you will be zapped. However, if and when you make it to the finish line within the allotted amount of time, just toss your stick into the defusing bin, where it will harmlessly deactivate. Any questions? No? Good. Go!”
The first two legs of each team did well, as expected. When the sticks were handed to the last runners, the air crackled with bolts of blue electricity. Cheetah and Wonder Woman started off running stride for stride, neither one letting up, neither one out of breath. As they neared the forest, Cheetah asked, “How’s your life, Wonder Woman?”
When Wonder Woman started to answer, Cheetah just laughed. Is everything all right? Wonder Woman asked herself. She was so busy thinking about the anonymous messages that when they turned a sharp corner along the cliffs, Wonder Woman accidentally bumped into her opponent.
As Cheetah tumbled down the rocky mountain, her roar could be heard all the way back in the teacher’s lounge.
Instantly, Wonder Woman flew to where Cheetah had landed on the rocks.
“My leg! My leg! Ouch!” Cheetah cried out. “I’m hurt.”
Wonder Woman reached toward Cheetah, but she batted her away. “You’ve done enough damage already, don’t you think?”
Wonder Woman’s eyes teared up. “I am so sorry,” she said.
“Go get Wildcat,” Cheetah growled. “I don’t need any more help from you!”
Suddenly, there was a huge electric burst that could be seen over the tops of the trees.
The Shock Sticks had gone off, and the resulting mega–shock wave caused some of the nearby rocks to fall. Wonder Woman grabbed Cheetah and flew to safety as the two watched the rest of the rocks tumble down. Had Wonder Woman not reacted so quickly, they both would have been crushed.