Be warned, I do not own any characters from Dc Comics, just my own.

A Matter of Change: Chapter One: From the Start

"My home is not a place, it is people.

Lois McMaster Bujold"

There was a previous time in my life where I grew unsure of myself in the worst of ways. A time in my life where I was trying to find myself so early in a lifetime. Yet, it seemed somewhat reasonable now that I think about it. I was 16 almost 17 when I met the Teen Titans. Our encounter was quite amusing and we developed a friendship, a family, that I still hold dear to me. As sentimental or melancholic as it may sound, I'm sure that I'll never forget them: my first real and best friends.

It was pouring in Jump City and it seemed that it wouldn't lighten up until two days after today. At least, that's what the meteorologist on the local news said. Elizabeth VanCampp watched the local news on her small screen television set as she sat on her futon-slash-bed. Her small apartment compromised of one small living room which also served as the bedroom, a tiny walk-in closet, a small bathroom, and a kitchen. She had half a wall of moving boxes that were still packed with family keepsakes and decorations that she couldn't find the time to bother with and set up. She had been living here for about a year- provided by her caretaker that she had never really known- after her family had died before her very sight.

It was a weekend, Sunday afternoon to be exact. She had had school tomorrow and work. Her designated clothes were already out for her tomorrow in the closet, so there was no need to worry. She twirled her straight black hair- that barely seemed to touch her shoulder- around her right index finger as she lazily rested her head on her left hand and tried to catch some interesting story on the news. So far all she heard about for the entire day was all about the city's greatest heroes, The Teen Titans, and their latest escapades. 'Glory hogs,' was all she could think of about them. She liked superheroes to tell the truth but it always seemed as if they were primarily interested in fame rather than the worlds safety. Especially that Robin character.

Her bright green eyes rolled around in their sockets as a response to the Titans 'bravery and wit' to save yet another damsel in distress. She blew a stray strand of her long bangs into place. Utterly bored, she abandoned the Tv, got up off the chair and, got up off the chair and walked over to the other end of the room where several boxes labeled 'Family' in big, bold, black Sharpie lettering were stacked in two small rows. She picked up the top one of the second row, lied it on the floor. Carefully opening it and tearing away the bubble wrap, she dug her hand through until she had found the family photo album. It was a hard cover case in a deep burgundy shade with gold outline and detail. She opened the cover to the first page. The first two photos were of a man, a woman, and a small girl.

The man appeared to be in his early to mid-30's. He had lengthy black crew-cut hair and black eyes. He appeared to have tannish skin and was slightly muscular. He wasn't particularly tall, about five foot and nine inches. He wore a pastel yellow short-sleeved business shirt with a pointed collar, seven buttons down the front (the middle two were buttoned at the moment, exposing a white tank top underneath), and a chest pocket on the left side; and a classic wash boot cut style jean. The woman looked to be in her late twenties. She had long wavy blonde hair that had touched the small of her back and big, blue eyes. She was wearing a purple and white patterned tie back empire short-sleeved top that had a scooped neckline, puffy sleeves, and stopped at the hip; with a classic wash skinny style jean Capri and an eighteen inch inseam and nicely fitted her natural curves on her slim and pale figure. The small child was at least four years old. She had chest-length black hair that was combed into two neat and high curly pigtails with short bangs. Her green eyes were framed by long black lashes that striked a contrast to a pale skin. Her green and white striped Ruffled Henley shirt with a smocked neckline and puffy short sleeves matched her classic wash denim mini-skirt with a heart pocket.

The family was posed together at the park playing some game, possibly tag. Smiles adorned everyone's faces. The teenager pondered over this picture for several moments before reading the description under. 'Mommy, Daddy, and Elizabeth (Age 4) at the park for a weekend picnic on June 25th, 1996 before the massive heat wave.'

She looked through several pictures like this. Pictures of her and her mom, when she got pregnant. Pictures of her mom's funeral when she and the baby died in labor. Pictures of her and her dad before he was brutally murdered two years ago. There were even a few photos of her uncle Brant.

She tried to hold back the tears threatening to escape her eyes, even if she was inside the sanctity of her own home. Well, it really wasn't home, not to her. Home was so far away now, so lost to her.

Suddenly, she felt a grumble in her stomach. Good, she needed some fresh air on the way, and seeing as she really didn't have any food in her kitchen at the moment. She fished through her pockets. Twenty dollars. She could buy a nice meal with that, maybe a sub from that nearby deli.

Making sure to lock the door, she headed out. Down the flights of stairs and through the main entrance. She stood before the busy sidewalk and streets before her. She had come down wearing a black and white vertical striped button-down blouse with puffy short sleeves and a pointed collar; a A-symmetrical multi-layered black mini-skirt; and patent leather thigh-high boots that laced from the bottom up and had a slight heel. She adorned herself in a black chained necklace with a large angel wing and her mother's engagement ring; large dangling metal angel wing earrings; and a white and black checkers stud wristband on her right arm.

She made a left and walked a few steps. Suddenly, she was pushed back by some odd force or another. Gusts of dust flooded the air for several moments and she quickly stuck her face into the palms of her hand.

It took a while for her and the rest of the crowd to be able to look up and figure out what was going on, but she already had a good clue as to what it was.

"It's the Teen Titans! Wow." She could hear a small child exclaim in the random distance.

She tried to crack open an eye but as soon as she saw two figures flying towards her, she decided the view of black seemed more sufficient enough. As soon as that one eye closed, she felt her body being pounced on by anothers and her back was wholly on the ground as she hardly hit her head.

"-ss. Miss? Mi—" Her hearing faded in and out as she barely latched on to the voice before blacking out.