A/N: Before you kill me, probably horribly, I can explain.

I've been super busy. I'm a freshman now, in high school XD Awesome and exhausting. But...anyway...I'm taking advanced classes and I had a lot of homework and projects to complete, and I was really stressed out, and still am. I'm actually supposed to have a short story rough draft for English by friday, but I tried and...this happened :D I was stuck for a while, mostly because I was freaked out at so many favs, but it's not a bad thing, I love it :) I was still a little intimidated, and nervous I would fail you...etc.

And tonight I decided that, 'hey, since my short story is screwed anyway (Zombie outbreak, sad, I know -_- ) I might as well write chap 2 of ANF!' Of course, this is the first part, and I was supposed to be be in bed 2 hours ago, and its a school night. I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry about not updating for a year, almost. I'm going to try and update my other stories, but it might take some time, since I want to make sure I blow you guys away with the updated chapters :)

Takes places before invasion, but not quite at the end of season 1. Lol, I have no clue, actually when this specificlly takes places. Season 2 messed up things. Still love season 1 though :)

Enjoy :)

(A week or two after Chapter 1)

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Dick slowly bit into a—peeled—banana. He was looking down at the floor, noticing how bright the tiles gleamed. He chewed slowly for a few seconds before swallowing, gazing up at the fridge opposite from him. His eyes seemed too heavy, as if they were weighed down. Taking another bite of the banana, he turned; tossing the peel into the silver trash can across the room.

You'll be spending the night at your friend's, I'll be away for 3 days, and Alfred has vacation time.

-bruce

He groaned and rubbed his palms against his forehead. "Right, now to think up a crappy excuse for Barbara." He felt a headache coming on. Barbara wasn't the type of person who takes bad news well; she could hold a grudge for 'bout forever. She never really forgives people, not totally.

"Master Richard! Hurry up, or I fear you'll be late." Alfred's voice came from the door, carrying through the ridiculously large house—mansion, actually—and into the kitchen.

"Coming!" Dick ran his fingers through his gelled hair, taking one last look at the sticky note on the fridge before hurrying to Alfred, his mind already thinking up what to tell Barbara.

He had a feeling that it was going to be such a great day.

BREAKLINE. PIE. BREAKLINE. PIE. BREAKLINE. PIE. BREAKLINE. PIE.

He would have liked to say that he faced his fears and told Barbara, like the brave—and secret—superhero he was. But, he'd be lying. Dick had snuck into school, to his locker, and class, managing—quite easily—to avoid Barbara. He felt bad, ashamed really. At least he would have a couple more hours to live.

Dick slid into his seat as the bell rang, casually dropping his bag onto the floor by his desk with a relived sigh. He made it to his first class...thankfully. Getting out his binder and homework, Dick smiled. Maybe it wasn't going to be bad after all.

"Richard Grayson, to the office, please."

The classroom speaker squawked to life, startling everyone—except Dick, of course. The teacher looked away from the board she had been writing on a moment ago, staring at Dick. He stood up and walked to her desk, where she hastily wrote a note, handed it to him, and turned back to the board.

Dick walked out the door. Since when was he called to the office? Either it was an emergency, or...well...something else. He clutched the note, silently making his way to the staircase—he was on the top floor and the office was on the first.

"Well, at least I won't run into—" He stopped on the second flight of stairs, his eyes stuck on the redhead girl who walked around the corner. Apparently she must've noticed him too, because she stopped too, her eyebrows creased as if she was confused.

"...Dick? Where have you been!" She whispered. Even though she spoke quietly, her voice was still piercing. Dick gave a nervous laugh.

"I was late, and...I didn't have time to find you." He tried to smile reassuringly, as if to make her believe that it was an honest to goodness mistake, but she still glared at him.

"Really? So, you weren't avoiding me?

"Err-nope."

"You know that I know that you are lying, right?"

Instead of answering her question, Dick tried to change the subject, just wanting to be on his merry way, and away from her penetrating stare. "What brings up you...up these stairs?" Dick switched the note to his left hand, using his right to rub the back of his neck.

Barbara held up what she had been holding, a brightly colored pass with Bathroom in big bold black letters. She raised an eyebrow, and Dick muttered 'Office'.

Lol, did anyone see Rise of the Guardians? BECAUSE IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING AND HIT ME RIGHT IN THE FREAKING FEELS! I loved Jack Frost, 'cause he's awesome. I loved his tragic backstory, and...just...everything. Totally beat How to Train Your Dragon. Hands down.