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Haylee wandered into Barry's lab after he called her, she held a mean glare on her face as she approached him. He pulled a bag of Big Belly Burger out from behind him, "I'm sorry for missing movie night... again." Haylee's glare faltered at the sight of the food before she looked over to the screen. "Is this about the store robbery?" Haylee asked curiously. "Yeah, Joe isn't too happy about me being late," Barry spoke. Considering I was busy playing hero, Barry thought to himself.

"Come on, Haylee. I said I was sorry... And I bought you some Big Belly Burger," Barry whined playfully as Haylee finished off her fries, she still hadn't said he was forgiven. "Forgiveness is earned, young padawan. And you are on the path for it," Haylee teased before unwrapping her burger. Barry laughed, shaking his head at the brunette girl. "So, what's new?" Barry asked Haylee as she bit into her burger. She looked at him with a 'really' look as she had just bitten into her burger which made him laugh.

"Nothing really... I have, however, noticed some crazy things happening in Central City," Haylee spoke after swallowing her burger bite. "Crazy? Like what?" Barry asked amused. "For one, someone with the power to create literal fog was robbing banks after being claimed as dead. Then there was a girl who could use water as a weapon, she was getting revenge on people from her past but now they can't find her. Plus, there was a guy with an ability to move metal," Haylee rambled with a wide smile.

"And on top of that, there is a Red Streak going around saving the day. He saved people from a fire today," Haylee continued, Barry watched her anxiously as she rambled about this heroic Red Streak. "It's like, ever since the Particle Accelerator exploded sending a wave of antimatter and dark matter into the air, people have developed... meta-human abilities based from their environment and I bet that the Red Streak developed their's from it too!" Haylee added.

The look on her face made Barry's heart race and he fought the urge to blurt out that he was indeed The Flash. "This is all your fault!" Iris spoke as she entered the lab which caused him to step back from Haylee. When did I move towards her? Barry questioned himself before looking at Iris who was pointing an accusing finger at Haylee. "I could have taken European folklore to cover my sociology requirement, but no. You both said "take journalism, Iris. Reporters have all of the fun"." Iris spoke.

Haylee laughed at her best friend, "Oh come on, we do though!" Iris shook her head before stopping next to Haylee. "Journalism is boring. I'm bored. I blame you," Iris accused Haylee who simply laughed at her before noticing the dress bag. "Oh! Is that the dress?" Haylee asked with a wide smile, Iris nodded before handing Haylee the bag who jumped up. "I'll be back in a moment!" Haylee called before rushing towards the bathroom.

"You are so smitten!" Iris teased as she cleaned up Haylee's rubbish, throwing it into the bin before dusting off her hands. "Iris..." Barry whined but he knew she was right. "You look nice by the way," Barry complimented before turning to look at the screen. "Thanks. Why don't you look nice?" Iris asked. Barry turned to her confused as she sigh in exasperation. "This afternoon? Suit and tie? The University is giving Simon Stagg..." Iris began but Barry stopped her.

"Simon Stagg..." Barry spoke as he remembered Iris inviting him along despite Haylee going with them to explain the science stuff to Iris. "Some big award. And you agreed--" Iris pointed out. "To help Haylee explain the science stuff for your article. It's all coming back to me now," Barry replied with a small smile. "How fast can you get home and change?" Iris asked him, Barry smirked to himself. "Uh, pretty fast," Barry answered before Eddie walked into the lab.

"Hey Allen," Eddie spoke up, "Joe asked me to see where you're at on the evidence from the gun store shooting." He turned his gaze to Iris and smiled softly at her in admiration. "Oh, hey, iris," Eddie spoke up causing Barry to groan quietly. "Please, guys, just kiss already. I already know, remember?" Barry pointed out causing Iris to laugh quietly knowing that Haylee planned the reveal on purpose. Eddie smiled before pulling Iris into a kiss, Iris smiled into it.

"Ugh, seriously!?" Haylee's voice gained their full attention. "Every. damn. time!?" Haylee continued as she walked to stand between the couple. Eddie laughed before kissing the side of Haylee's head in a brotherly way, though the sight still formed a pit in Barry's stomach that faded into butterflies as he admired the knee-length red dress that fanned out at the skirt but sat nicely with a sweetheart neckline around her chest.

"Hayles... You look, uh, amazing," Barry stuttered out. Haylee curtsied while Iris smirked at Eddie, the two of them sharing similar thoughts about Barry and Haylee and how adorable the two would be together. "Thank you, Barry. And limit the PDA you two, please. My single heart cannot take it," Haylee whined before picking up her phone completely oblivious to the look on Barry's face as he fought the urge to kiss her right there.

"Uh, thanks for being so cool about this, Barry. I know it's not easy keeping a big secret," Eddie interrupted the momentary silence to steer away from Haylee's complaint. "I'm getting used to it," Barry spoke, Iris and Eddie thinking he was getting used to hiding their secret but Haylee noticed the way his forehead creased, the way he looked downcast and the subtle fiddle of his fingers which showed that there was more he was hiding and she would find out.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

Haylee stood next to Barry as they listened to Simon Stagg's speech, "I find it quite remarkable, having once been a timid freshman at Central City University, to be standing before you now, the regents choice for man of the year. While I very much appreciate the award, the real honour for me is knowing that my work in organ transference helps give people a second chance at life. Thank you all very much for coming."

Haylee rolled her eyes subtly before turning to Iris, "All right, Simon Stagg's work in cellular cloning has led to huge advancements in the future of organ replacement..." Iris turned her head to a waiter holding a tray of champagne glasses. "Are journalists allowed to drink on the job?" Iris asked Haylee who sighed. "One glass traditionally, yes but... if you're bored already, just wait till we get to the science behind cellular regeneration which I actually find interesting," Haylee explained.

Iris looked from Haylee to Barry with a sly smile, "You two are so alike yet so different. Practically made for one another." Barry flushed a light pink while Haylee coughed lightly and looked to see Simon Stagg. "I'm gonna get a quote for us," Haylee said before walking over to Simon who smiled at her knowing instantly who she was, the two began talking about cellular regeneration. "Did you have to say that?" Barry whined thinking that Iris was gonna scare off Haylee.

Iris shrugged before looking back to Barry, "I've missed this, Barry. I feel like we haven't spent any quality time together since you woke up from the coma." Barry's split attention on Haylee and Iris focused on Iris at those words. "Yeah, I've had a crazy few weeks, I know," Barry spoke as he thought about all the changes since he woke up with his new abilities. "I thought maybe you'd been avoiding me because of Eddie. I know you think it's wrong, me dating my dad's partner, and I just--" Iris began.

"No. That is not it, at all. It's just been a handful, I'm trying to hang out with you and... Haylee," Barry assured before Simon Stagg walked by, Iris attempting to talk to him but with no success. Haylee laughed lightly as Iris claimed she made up a quote before gunshots echoed through the room. Barry instantly stood protectively by Iris and Haylee who looked around to see a couple of guys with guns and ski masks covering their faces.

Haylee zoned out as a familiar feeling set through her, dread and fear. Something she hadn't felt since her time in Starling City, the same night she was saved by the Arrow and learnt the truth behind the masked vigilante. Haylee didn't even notice Barry's sudden disappearance until Iris grabbed her shoulders, both of them rushed off to find Barry. They found him passed out in the alley behind the building, Haylee was confused about how he ended up there but Iris was more worried about him.

When Haylee got home she walked into the bathroom and splashed herself with water, the impact of the water sizzled against her skin causing her to fall back and bite on her lip to hold back a yelp. She quickly used the closest towel to wipe the water from her face before using the basin to lift herself up off of the ground, her eyes widening as her reflection had vibrant blue eyes and small blue veins cracked through her skin before she felt light and fainted.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

Author Note
So she has been affected by the lightning, meta-human. What do you think she'll be capable of?

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza (Whatever you may celebrate) or just happy holidays and a happy new year! :)

-Rose <3
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