Finals

Finals week at Gotham Prep brought a unique kind of tension to the campus. For most students, it meant endless hours of studying, last-minute cramming, and a steady diet of caffeine and snacks. For Maggie, Jason, Roy, and the rest of their friends, it was a whirlwind of review sessions, flashcards, and whispered pleas for just one more day to prepare. As if academic stress wasn't enough, the lingering memories of the Mad Hatter's control added an extra weight to the week, one that no amount of studying could entirely shake. Maggie, usually one of the top students, had spent the last few days with her textbooks spread across the dining table at Wayne Manor. Bruce, ever the meticulous planner, had set up a study schedule for her and Jason. Maggie took to it like she did most things, with determination and focus. Jason, on the other hand, was a different story.

"Alright, Jason," Maggie said, glancing up from her notes during one of their study sessions, "how about we tackle the biology review together?"

Jason groaned, leaning back in his chair. "I think I'd rather face another Arkham Criminal than another hour of biology."

Maggie chuckled, nudging him. "Come on, you know my dad will check if we actually studied or not. You've got this. Remember what he said—no distractions and no giving up."

"Easier said than done," Jason muttered, but he reached for his notebook, and they dove into another round of reading.

At school, the library was packed with students, all huddled over textbooks or gathered in study groups. Stephanie and Emily had claimed a corner table, where they were deep in flashcard drills for their history exam. Roy sat nearby, trying his best to stay focused but clearly struggling as he snuck glances at his phone every few minutes.

"Roy, focus!" Maggie hissed, yanking his phone out of his hand and waving a history book in front of him. "You're never going to pass if you don't memorize these dates!"

Roy rolled his eyes but begrudgingly took the book. "Fine, fine. But if I see one more timeline of the French Revolution, I might actually lose my mind."

Maggie laughed. "If you're that tired of it, just imagine how the people who lived through it felt."

The group managed to stay on track, more or less, with occasional distractions. The stress was clear on everyone's faces, but there was a kind of camaraderie in it too. They shared jokes, exchanged flashcards, and even engaged in dramatic reenactments of historical events to keep their spirits up.

The night before their math final, Jason and Maggie found themselves in the kitchen at Wayne Manor, snacking on cookies Alfred had prepared to keep them energized.

Jason sighed, his head in his hands. "How do people do this every year? It's like a mental marathon."

Maggie grinned, sipping her coffee. "Some of us were born for it. Some… need a little push."

Jason gave her a mock glare but laughed. "Alright, alright, I get it. Let's hit the books."

The next day, Gotham Prep was thick with tension. Their first final, math, loomed large, and students shuffled into the exam room with varying degrees of confidence. Jason could feel his pulse pounding as he took his seat beside Maggie, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"You'll do fine," she whispered. "Just breathe, focus, and remember—if you can outsmart villains, you can handle algebra."

Jason nodded, her words calming him. The exam began, and for the next hour, the world shrank to numbers and formulas. He scribbled out equations, his mind working through each problem. Maggie, meanwhile, flew through the questions, her pencil a blur as she made her way through the test.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end, they both let out a breath of relief.

"That wasn't too bad, right?" Maggie asked as they left the classroom.

Jason gave a half-smile. "Only a little traumatic."

Their next exams, history and literature, followed in rapid succession, each one blending into the other. By the end of the week, the students of Gotham Prep were visibly drained. Bags under eyes were common, and caffeine had become everyone's best friend.

In the hallway after their last final, Roy threw his arms up in mock celebration. "It's over! We survived!"

Stephanie and Emily cheered, though the exhaustion was clear on their faces. "I think my brain might be fried forever," Emily said, rubbing her temples.

Jason nodded, sharing her sentiment. "Same here. But at least we're done."

Maggie smiled at her friends, feeling a mixture of relief and pride. They had made it through the week, and though finals had been brutal, they had done it together.

"Alright," Maggie said, glancing at the group. "Now who's up for a celebration? We've definitely earned it."

As they left the school, finally free from the pressures of finals, the friends laughed and made plans, the weight of the week finally lifting as they looked forward to the freedom of summer.

A week after finals, the spring semester grades arrived at Wayne Manor, delivered in neat envelopes bearing the Gotham Prep seal. Maggie and Jason each sat on opposite ends of the living room couch, staring at their unopened envelopes. Maggie's usual confidence seemed slightly rattled, and Jason, usually one to shrug things off, looked downright nervous.

"Want to open them at the same time?" Maggie suggested, giving him a reassuring smile.

Jason nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, let's just rip the band-aid off."

They tore open the envelopes in unison, each scanning the paper within. Maggie's eyes lit up as she read her results: nearly all A's, a perfect score in her advanced science course, and top honors in English. Jason, meanwhile, blinked at his own report card, his usual skepticism giving way to surprise. He had managed to bring up his grades in nearly every subject. He wasn't perfect—not like Maggie—but his hard work had paid off. Bruce entered the room, noticing their reactions.

"So," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity, "how did you two do?"

Maggie turned to Bruce with a proud smile, handing him her report card. "I made the honor roll," she said, her tone humble but clearly pleased.

Bruce looked over her report card, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he scanned her grades. "Top of the class," he said, a warm note of pride in his voice.

"Well done, Maggie. You worked hard for this, and it shows."

She beamed, thrilled at the rare, direct praise from her father. But Bruce didn't linger on her success, turning to Jason with a look of equal interest. "And how about you, Jason?"

Jason fidgeted, suddenly self-conscious. "It's… not honor roll or anything, but I passed everything. Even managed a B in biology and history." He handed Bruce the report card, almost bracing himself as if he expected a lecture instead of praise.

Bruce took the report card, studying it carefully. After a moment, he looked back at Jason, a small smile tugging at his lips. "These are significant improvements, Jason. You've come a long way. And a B in biology—no small feat."

Jason's face flushed slightly, caught off guard by Bruce's approval. "Thanks, I… well, I had a good study partner." He shot Maggie a grateful look.

Bruce nodded. "You both supported each other this semester, and I couldn't be prouder of the progress you've made."

Jason and Maggie exchanged a pleased glance, a shared sense of accomplishment lingering between them.

Bruce paused, then spoke with a hint of a smile. "I think this deserves a reward. How does a weekend trip sound? The three of us, somewhere outside Gotham."

Jason's eyes widened. "Like… a vacation? Just us?"

Maggie grinned, hardly able to believe it herself. "Really?"

Bruce nodded. "Yes, a break from Gotham, from responsibilities. Somewhere we can relax, celebrate, and recharge."

Alfred entered the room, looking pleased. "An excellent idea, Master Wayne. I'll handle the travel arrangements."

Jason couldn't hide his excitement, a genuine smile breaking through. "This… this is awesome. Thanks, Bruce."

Maggie hugged Bruce, thrilled. "Thank you, Dad."