Jason Todd slouched in his chair near the window, one leg kicked out, boredom etched across his face. Detention was nothing new for him—this time it was for mouthing off at a teacher and getting caught sneaking in late from lunch. Hardly a surprise to anyone.

Across the room sat Grant Bilbro, the kind of guy who thrived on making life miserable for others. He tapped his pencil loudly against the desk, smirking to himself like he owned the place. Jason kept his eyes away from him, not because he was afraid, but because he knew what would happen if Grant gave him an excuse.

In the back row, trying to make herself invisible, sat a girl who had only gotten detention for being late to class. She hunched over her phone, scrolling nervously, pretending not to exist. Jason noticed how her fingers trembled slightly as she typed, but he didn’t say anything. Not yet.

Grant noticed too, and his grin widened. “Hey,” he called across the room, his voice dripping with mock sweetness. “What’s a shy little thing like you doing back there? Too scared to look at anyone?” He leaned over the back of his chair, eyes glinting. “What’re you hiding on that phone? Love notes? Or maybe something embarrassing?”

She froze, shrinking further into her seat, whispering, “Please leave me alone.”

Grant snorted. “Aw, come on. Don’t be boring. Hand it over—” He started to stand, moving toward her.

Jason’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood up, his eyes narrowing like storm clouds gathering. “Sit back down, Bilbro.” His voice was sharp, dangerous.

Grant paused, then laughed. “Oh, what, Gotham’s resident delinquent wants to play hero now? Cute.” He shoved Jason’s shoulder as he passed. “Stay out of it, Todd.”