Xhloe studied Bruce with sharp eyes. "You're Bruce Wayne. The Bruce Wayne. Your family owns like half of Gotham."
"Quarter, maybe," Bruce said with a self-deprecating smile. "The rumors get exaggerated."
"Still. What's it like growing up that rich? Never having to worry about money?"
"Different," Bruce said honestly. "Money solves some problems and creates others. You'd be surprised how isolating it can be. Hard to know who your real friends are when everyone knows you're wealthy."
That seemed to satisfy Chloe's reporter instincts for the moment. They ate lunch together, conversation flowing naturally. Pete was easygoing and funny. Chloe was sharp and curious. Clark remained quiet but relaxed slightly as they talked.
Halfway through lunch, Whitney Fordman approached their table with his two teammates.
"Well, well," Whitney said loudly. "The weird kid table. How fitting that the Gotham rich boy ended up here. Birds of a feather, right?"
Pete rolled his eyes. "Go away, Whitney. We're eating."
"I'm just being welcoming. Letting our guest know what kind of losers he's hanging out with." Whitney focused on Clark. "Hey Kent, you ever tell your new friend about the time you accidentally threw a football through the gym window? Oh wait, you claimed that was an accident. Just like all the other weird stuff that happens around you."
Clark's hands clenched on the table. Bruce could see the strain in his face, the effort it took not to react.
"That's enough," Bruce said calmly.
Whitney turned to him, eyebrows raised.
"What?"
"I said that's enough. You've made your point. We get it. You don't like Clark. But right now you're just embarrassing yourself in front of everyone. So maybe walk away and save what's left of your dignity."
The cafeteria had gone quiet. Students watched the confrontation with interest.
Whitney's face flushed red. "You don't know anything about how things work here, Gotham. This isn't your city. Here, I'm the one people listen to."
"Really?" Bruce looked around the cafeteria.
"Because from where I'm sitting, you look like a guy who peaked in high school and is desperately trying to hold onto whatever power he has by bullying people. That's not strength, Whitney. That's insecurity."
Several students snickered. Whitney's face went from red to purple.
"You want to say that again?" Whitney stepped closer, trying to use his size to intimidate.
Bruce stood up slowly. At six feet tall and clearly built despite his lean frame, he wasn't intimidated. "I don't need to repeat myself. You heard me fine. Now either sit down or walk away, but stop wasting everyone's time."
For a moment, it looked like Whitney might actually take a swing. His teammates tensed, ready to back him up.
Then a teacher appeared. "Is there a problem here, gentlemen?"
"No problem," Whitney said through gritted teeth. "Just welcoming our guests."
"Then welcome them from your own table. Move along."
Whitney glared at Bruce one more time, then stalked away with his friends. The cafeteria slowly returned to normal volume, students going back to their conversations.
Bruce sat down. Clark was staring at him with something like awe.
"You didn't have to do that," Clark said quietly.
"Yeah, I did. He's a bully. Bullies only understand one thing: people who won't back down." Bruce picked up his fork again.
"Besides, everything I said was true. He's terrified of losing his status, so he picks on people he thinks won't fight back. Classic insecurity."
"He's going to make your life hell for the rest of the week," Pete warned. "Whitney doesn't forgive people who embarrass him."
"I'll manage."
Chloe was grinning. "That was amazing. Nobody ever stands up to Whitney like that. You just made yourself either very popular or a very big target."
"Probably both," Bruce said with a shrug.
Read more on Patreon marvelstark