This was a spirit of the moment fic that hit me today so I had to write it. Multi chapter. Alternating POV'S. Thanks for reading.

This fic is named after Three Days Grace's song Everything I Hate About You.

IRIS' POV:

Every part of me hated Barry Allen. He was by far the most arrogant, self-absorbed alpha male there was on the planet. Or at least in my neighborhood. When we were little we use to play together in each other's backyards, have occasional sleepovers when one of our parents had to work late. It wasn't unusual for us to be inseparable. Ten years later and we hardly talked to each other. That was mostly my fault. I'd given up on him when he needed a friend the most. Back then I didn't really know how to be there for someone who constantly pushed me away. So I gave up on us. On him. I couldn't really blame him. I lost my mom, too. My dad and I just had a better system than Henry and Barry. My dad took me to family counseling early on, I was forced to talk about how mom's death felt. Henry was doctor, but he didn't believe in counseling.

Over the years I attempted to rekindle the friendship we once had, but thanks to Barry's mutual hatred of me that kind of hindered my progress. Eventually, school and my social life got in the way and I couldn't be bothered any longer. I didn't have time to pursue anything that wasn't worth my time. Besides, his cult followers who thought he was "the man" made it hard to get him alone. And Barry being the stereotypical jock, he kind of had the perks that came along with popularity. The girls, the party king status, the big cheese on this high school campus. Believe me, he had the big cheese attitude to match.

Whenever he saw me when he was alone he'd pretend he hadn't, when his followers were around he'd made a teasing joke at my expense. At first, I thought he was being playful, but then the jokes started hitting home for me in a way that made it clear he meant to inflict pain.

So naturally, when my used grey 2005 Honda Civic ended up in the shop for a few touch ups and my dad wasn't answering my calls Barry's had to be the only car on this side of the lot. I tried my dad's again with no luck. With a huff I started the trek home. What was a dozen blacks in the flattest sandals ever made? Damn Charlotte Russe! But for real, I'd probably be back there when my next direct deposit hit.

I pulled my WalMart bought burgundy leather jacket tight as I folded my arms across my chest, my black purse slung on my left shoulder. I made it a block before the first rain drop hit me in the eye, I wiped the wetness away, but that only made my eyes itch. How unfortunate was I to have no mother and allergies? I mean, the universe was a cruel puppet master, but come on.

An all too familiar red Toyota pickup slowed to a crawl beside me. I refused to look over even if his eyes were burning holes through my resolve.

"Get in."

Silence was the best way to shut someone out. That's what I stuck with, a high head and silence as the rain picked up.

"Come on, it's about to storm."

No amount of rain would break my spirits enough to ever get into a car with Barry Allen. The thought of him alone made me want to pull my hair out, which I was now going to have to blow dry and straighten before I headed to work. The hurtful comments over the years stuck with me and just because his mom died didn't mean he could be a jerk. Me getting in the car with a jerk was a no go.

"Joe will kill me if you die from pneumonia."

I really wanted to tell him to blow me, but that wasn't good enough and I didn't have the energy or will to fight with him now. Or ever.

"Iris!"

My head snapped in his direction, forgetting how attractive he was, I blushed when I met his gaze. "Would you leave me alone?"

"You'll get sick." He almost sounded concerned.

My eyes couldn't roll hard enough. "I'd rather die of pneumonia than endure a ten minute ride home with you, Barry." I gave him a dirty look before stalking down the road.

When he pulled off I thought he'd gotten the message, but he just curved the truck in front of me. My heart pounded in my chest.

"What is wrong with you?!" I slammed my hand on the door, hoping the car would get the message.

"Get in the truck,"

"You're delusional if you think you can bark orders at me, Allen."

He hopped out of the truck and was in front of me before I could move out the way. Angry green eyes glared down at me. I don't think we had been this close since we were seven, so his height took me by surprise. I mean, I saw him in the halls. I knew he was tall, but I hadn't experienced the closeness of his new height. It mattered, especially when I used to be taller than him.

He opened the passenger door and waited for me to get inside.

I gave him a look. He gave me a look, so I guess we were in a staring battle.

"Iris can you just get in?" His voice soft as his eyes scanned me. "You're shaking." Rain had soaked him at this point.

For some reason, my eyes zeroed in on his wet lips. So many horrible things had come from this mouth and if I had the balls I'd like to think I had I would've punched him right in the pucker, but I just stared at it.

It turned into a frown as he effortlessly picked me up and placed me in the seat with a slam of the door. My eyes widened as I sat on the inside of Barry's truck. This was a place I hoped I'd never be and now I was here against my will. I couldn't help but notice how the truck smelled of manly musk. He revered and drove us down the street in silence. Despite myself I buckled up. I could admit no one wanted to walk in wet sandals. That was a death sentence waiting to happen.

I couldn't stop shivering. Cold rain mixed with the approaching fall temps would do that to a soaking girl. I focused on what was outside the rain splattered window instead of the tension fogging up the car. Wait, that was the heat. Okay, I was being a bitch. At least I could do was thank him for perhaps saving me from the case of pneumonia we'll never know I could've had.

When I turned him I noticed how his bare arms flexed as he turned a corner. The sleeveless gray shirt clung to him well. Soccer must've been doing him well. I shook those approaching thoughts from my mind, but it was hard to ignore that this was the closest I'd been to Barry in ten years despite him living next to me. Sure, I'd seen him occasionally at the house with Henry, but I'd just go to my room where I could loathe him in peace, but I could count those times on one hand.

We stopped at a red light and he turned that hazel gaze on me. "A thank you isn't over rated, Iris."

I couldn't hide my scowl. Hearing my name on his lips annoyed me to no end. He didn't have a right to say my name after all he's put me through in the last ten years. Just because he possibly saved me from a theoretical case of pneumonia today didn't give him the right to say it.

"I didn't ask you to pick me up and throw me into your truck. So no, you don't get a thank you." I spat.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, long and lean fingers. "You're right, how rude of me to drive you home in the pouring rain when we live next door to each other. What could I have been thinking?"

My fist squeezed in my lap. Only if I could punch him square in the jaw. I was feeling a tiny bit sentimental so I tried to store my anger.

"Fine," I met his eyes. "Thank you."

He stared at me for a long five seconds before a smirk broke out on his lips. "Your hair." He reached out to touch it, taking me by surprise. "It's curling right back up." His fingers played in the curls and I couldn't help but feel the feeling you get when someone plays with your hair.

Shit. I really could care less what Barry Allen thought of me, but I didn't want to rock a sister girl afro in front of him. A blush stung my face as I smacked his hands away.

He chuckled. "You should wear your hair like that again, Flower."

My heart tugged as I ignored him and tried to act as if I wasn't embarrassed beyond belief. Being black and having an afro growing up lead to a lot of mean and racist comments. When I was old enough to do my own hair I started straightening it.

The light turned green and I couldn't have been happier when our houses came into view a few minutes later. I couldn't hope out the truck fast enough. Barry giving me a ride home and calling me my childhood nickname was enough to make me want to second guess him. Second guessing Barry Allen required a lot of thought and time and I didn't have the time. I had to shower, do my hair and get ready for my shift at Jitters. I could really use the caffeine crutch to get through the stack of homework I had to do after the shift.

Barry and I didn't part ways with a goodbye and I was fine with that. It wasn't like I was going to stand around awkwardly and mutter an apology.

I made it to Jitters with freshly pressed hair that was already starting to curl a little from the light mist outside and ten minutes of late to ignore the warning look Caitlyn gave me as I clocked in.

"You're lucky Jason isn't here. Your ass would've been fired, Iris."

I sighed. "I know," I pleaded with her. "Do you see the weather." I pointed to my hair. "I had to get this back to normal before coming here."

She cracked a grin. "You just want to look nice for your college criminal justice hottie."

My eyes rolled. "Please."

We both know I did, but we also both knew I had too much on my plate to even entertain the thought of a boyfriend. Even if it was a college hottie with sensitive blue eyes and blonde hair.

"Speaking of," She nodded towards the door. "Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday like clockwork."

I held my hand in front of the register so no one would see but her. "You know what this finger means."

She sneered and went to cleaning stocking the counter.

I pretended to be invested in the menu when I felt Eddie approach the counter.

"Iris," He grinned.

I smiled back. "Hey," Darn those blue eyes. "What brings you here?" I asked casually.

"Just a cup of coffee."

Right. "I know, I was just making conversation." And a fool of myself.

Okay, when I said I didn't have time for boys I only half meant it. Eddie had been coming into Jitters for two years and I had developed an acute crush on him. I mean, blue eyes and blonde hair. Hello.

He grinned as if I were a cute kid, which was obviously how he saw me. "And a muffin today. A five page paper won't write itself."

I nodded along. AP classes weren't a joke, I could share the pain.

I made the coffee and placed a chocolate muffin on a plate and slid them to him across the counter. "On the house."

He flashed a full smile. "Oh, thanks, Iris. You're the best." He took his coffee and muffin and headed over to his table without a glance back.

Caitlyn held up her thumbs. "Smooth."

My hand went back in front of the register to signal what I felt.

She laughed. "In the four years I've been working here I don't think I've seen nearly as many middle fingers in my direction since the two years you've been here."

"I'll take the compliment." I popped a chocolate chip in my mouth as I started on my own personalized drink. The key was to add double of almost everything on the menu. Some things worked, others didn't. Trial and error helped out a lot in my long nights of study.

"You're dad came in earlier, asked about your schedule."

I huffed. "Did you tell him I'm not working too many hours for an AP senior. I'm doing great in all my classes."

She nodded. "I did. I can see where he's coming from." She ignored the look I gave her. "You're all he has and he wants you to do well and I don't think his idea of you succeeding involves Jitters three days a week."

I shrugged. "Well, my wallet isn't going to fill itself on the allowance he gives me."

My dad wanted to believe he could take care of us both financially and he could, but I had to save up for college. When I got my first paycheck from Jitters I went straight to Wells Fargo. I didn't want my dad to run himself into the ground trying to keep us satisfied. I was proud of my dad and I loved him, but he could really be overbearing at times.

"All I'm saying is that I wish I had a dad like Joe." Caitlyn added.

My five hour shift fly by faster than usual with the few rushes of customers. During the moments of peace my mind drifted to my dad and the ride from Hell I wouldn't ever tell anyone about. It's been ten years since anyone called my Flower, least of all Barry Allen. I shouldn't think of him at all, but I couldn't help it.

When nine thirty rolled around I couldn't have been happier. I clocked out, grabbed my bag, and waved bye to Caitlyn who could've murdered me for leaving her to close. It wasn't my fault she was a shift manager and I was a lowly high school student with a part time job.

Unluckily, the rain had picked up. Luckily, I had an umbrella that protected me. My dad was home but I didn't want to bother him. He worked almost two days straight with the cop shortage at the station. There was talk about strange things happening in Central City. I didn't believe them. I believed in what was in front of me, not rumors or conspiracies about the supernatural. The current rumor was there was someone running around the city kicking bad guy ass only he was extra fast. Something Central City didn't need was a vigilante. Starling City didn't need it's very own Arrow if you ask me. I just hoped my dad or someone caught him. Justice was by law, revenge was by people. My dad taught me that.

I started down the street. The walk to my house wasn't far and I didn't have on sandals so that was in my favor. I wasn't siked about straightening my hair twice in one day when I get home, but it had to be done.

The wind blew the rain in my face. My clothes started to dampen. Barry Allen wouldn't save me from the chance of pneumonia this time. I could catch a cab, but I didn't want to waste the last twenty bucks on a ride when I had two perfectly working legs.

My phone buzzed in my purse.

"Dad, I'm walking home."

"In this weather? Where are you? I'll come get you."

"No, it's fine. I'm close."

I could feel his narrowed gaze on this end of the phone.

"I thought you just got off."

I couldn't lie to my dad, he always knew, so I went with a half truth. "I ran halfway." I was speed walking, that was something.

He gave an unconvinced grunt. "I can still come get you, Iris."

"Dad, I'm okay, I promise. I'll be home soon." I hung up dramatically.

Sure, I was being a brat, but I hadn't had a wonderful day and the last thing I needed was my dad treating me like a child. Not to toot my own horn but I was a pretty great daughter. I got honor roll, I helped out around the house, I went to church regularly. I was on my p's and q's. When my dad would see that was still a mystery. I knew he was worried and I knew he was scared something would happen to me and he'd be all alone.

Guilt sprouted and I was about to call him back when I tripped over a box that clearly had no business being in the middle of the sidewalk. My hands stung from the brunt of my fall onto the pavement. The rain soaked me once again as my umbrella tumbled down the street. Well, it was nice having it, but I wasn't running after it. It belonged to the streets of Central City now. I mean, I was already wet and freezing, I'd just call my dad.

I searched for my phone in my bag, but realized it fell on my way down. Shit. It was soaked. I groaned as I surveyed it further. Bright lights stung my eyes as I looked to my right as a loud horn blared. My heart halted in my chest as a car swerved sideways but the driver and I both knew I was a goner. My dad flashed in my mind. I should've listened to him. He was about to be alone and it was my fault for thinking I was grown. I sent silent prayers his way.

Then everything blurred and I was standing a block away from my house with foreign arms around me. I didn't have time to process the incredibly quick trip as I spun around to look at whoever saved my life. To my disbelief there was a man in a scarlet suit dressed like a superhero. I wanted to laugh. I should've laughed, but I was too shocked to do anything but stare as he flashed a few feet away. The street lamp glared off his face.

I registered what just happened. This running man was what people were whispering about around town. He was real. He was standing in front of me. He saved my life. In a scarlet suit with a lighting bolt. While I admit it was a bit over the top, it sure clung to his fit body well. I wondered if his face matched. Then I thought about my hair and I prayed it wasn't doing anything too crazy.

I slowly neared him. "You saved my life..." Apparently I stated the obvious in front of vigilantes. "Thanks."

"You should be more careful." His voice sounded distorted, like he was talking into a fan.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, but he disappeared. I searched around to find him in front of me, his face obscured as he looked to the side.

"How can you do that?"

"You should get home, you could get sick."

A small grin came to my lips. "You kind of just changed my life, I'm allowed a few minutes of confusion." I closed the distance, hoping to get a look at his face. "And maybe some answers."

His face started shaking so fast I didn't know if I should call an ambulance. "I didn't save your life for you to catch pneumonia, Iris."

My eyes widened. "How do you know my name?"

He moved so fast I didn't notice we moved until I was standing on my porch alone. Curiosity stirred in me as I stood on my porch for longer than necessary. I had to be dreaming. There was no way that just happened.

The door opened and there stood my dad with concerned eyes. "Iris, what are you doing? Get inside before you catch a cold."

I deadpanned. Why was everyone so obsessed with me not getting sick? In theory that was good thing, but not today. I rushed upstairs, telling him I had a lot to do, which was true. You could never be too far ahead. That's what kept me afloat in my school work.

Three hours later with little to no homework done and straight hair I gave up. I couldn't focus on anything about what just happened. I hadn't been dreaming and some super fast vigilante saved me from being a drenched black pancake on Main street that my dad would have to scrape up.

As I rose from my oak desk to open my bedroom window I couldn't help but think about what he said. My name. He knew my name. The how wracked my brain. My eyes refocused as I saw someone in window across from me. Barry came into view, shirtless with a towel around his waist. I didn't mean to stare, but I couldn't break my eyes away. He was definitely not seven anymore.

As if to be the perfect ending to the perfect day he looked up and held my gaze. He came to the window sill and leaned out. "You want to come over here, Flower? See what's underneath the towel?"

My mouth dropped open as my eyes narrowed. Forgive me for thinking that Barry could be anything other than an ass. I actually gave him the finger before closing my curtain. I cut off the lights and flopped down onto my comfy queen sized bed. A strangled yawn came out as I stretch oddly and maneuvered under the covers.

Two strange things happened today. Barry Allen was nice to me for half an hour and I met the man in scarlet who everyone was talking about. Out of the two, Barry being civil was probably the weirder event.

My eyes became heavy and all thoughts of Barry and the speedster left my mind for the time being.