"I guess, if it means that much to you." Which, apparently, it did. I was still in shock. I mean, I know Raven can be a bit harsh, but it seemed like she hated my guts even more than before. A part of me remained convinced that it was because of Beast Boy, but why it thought that, I didn't know.
"Let's go. The mall will be closing soon." I followed her up the marble steps. A mother and her baby were going the opposite was on the other side. I smiled at the little boy, whose big eyes took in the world so curiously. At the sight of my face, he burst into tears. His mother stared at me in disbelief, as if she hadn't expected me to be alive. She shot me a dirty look, and finally went on, completely ignoring us.
The shop we entered was outdated and in disrepair. A few rickety curtains hung outside the dressing rooms, which were also messy. Without a word, Raven started piling shirts into my arms and completely covering me with pants. A few hats landed on my head; I felt like a human ring toss. When she finally decided that we had enough, she forced me into a dressing room and shut the curtain.
"It doesn't lock."
"Well, I'll guard it for you," she snapped. "Your Highness," she added as an afterthought.
Steaming, I reentered the dressing room. After trying on several shirts, I finally decided on a lavender-colored one. It had long sleeves that just covered the last reminders of my past life. I felt guilty about putting on the shirt, like I was covering up a part of me so the world couldn't see the truth. When I gazed at my reflection, I was relieved to see that no part of the neuro interface showed. Still, I could feel its power, lurking like some evil monster under a five-year-old child's bed.
Then, I looked at my hair; it was stringy, messy, and gross. Let's not forget about the two silvery things whose function I did not know. They stuck out from my head. Anyone could tell who I was just by looking at me. With a little effort, I was able to style two messy buns around them. There, perfect. I had built myself a nice hard outer shell to keep the outside world from using my guilt to their advantage. At last, I emerged from the dressing room.
"Took you long enough."
"Give me a break! Do you know how hard it is to put a shirt on over this infernal contraption Slade called a uniform?"
"No, and that's my point. Everyone messes up, just not as bad as you do." She turned and left to pay the cashier, leaving me open-mouthed. Had that just happened?
"Mind if my friend wears her purchases out of the store?" Friend? Ha!
"Whatever." The cashier snapped her gum. We left the store. I couldn't get out of there soon enough. I remained convinced that they were watching me: in every security camera, on every block, I was never safe. Every move I make, what I eat, how I talk, it was all evidence that I was some common criminal.
"You hungry?" For the first time since my arrival, Raven was actually being NICE.
"Are you kidding? I haven't eaten in six years. I'm starved!"
"Hey, how about we head back to Titans Tower so we can order a pizza?" Home, or close to it. I longed to be among the people who loved me and accepted me. Even with all of my friends, I still felt the guilt. Like I wasn't good enough. Like I didn't deserve such good treatment.
"Sure." We exited the mall and headed down the main road. The sun was setting, the earth itself was content, and I was headed home.
