Reading, I found, would be more of a challenge than I'd originally thought. I'd start in on a paragraph just fine, usually getting through the first sentence without trouble. However, by the second or third sentence, my mind began to wander back to you and Terra. My eyes continued to work over the page, seeing words, but my mind didn't process them. It was wrapped tightly around my predicament with you, much like how I was wrapped around your finger.

Don't dream too far.

After rereading the paragraph on reversing the effects of hypnosis a dozen times, I slammed the book shut and shoved it off my bed. It was obvious I wouldn't be getting any further than I already had. Not in the sorry state I was in.

I hunched forward in my cross-legged position, letting my fingers find their way to my temples and begin rubbing in delicate circles. "What are you doing, Raven?" I scolded myself.

My eyes opened and my hands fell away from my head. I glanced up, meeting my own gaze in the mirror built into my vanity. The eyes I looked into were not my own.

Don't lose sight of who you are.

They looked far too vulnerable—they gave too much away about their owner. And they were glistening. Tears? When had they appeared? My brow furrowed as I continued to stare into my own unfamiliar eyes. "You're weak," I spat my reflection, who mouthed the words back.

I broke my own stare, looking down at my bedspread, which was, like almost everything in my room and even in my heart, jet black. I traced a small heart into the silky fabric and hesitated for a second before drawing a slash through it.

Don't remember that rush of joy.

He could be that boy; I'm not that girl.

"Hey, Rae," you greeted solemnly (if it was even possibly for you to be solemn) as you sat beside me on the couch. I was, as usual, holding a book, though it was one I didn't recognize. I must have forgotten I had this one.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sounding a little less interested than I actually was. I was more interested in the title of the book, which read "Creating Dreamscapes"

"I broke up with Terra."

This caused my eyes to widen slightly. "Really?" I acknowledged with a raised eyebrow. My heart pounded in my chest, but I was actually managing to keep my cool on the outside. Bravo, self.

"Yeah," your ears twitched and your brow furrowed as you turned to half-face me. "I guess I realized she wasn't the right girl for me, and—" you stopped.

"And?" I prompted in my usual flat voice.

"And, I think I know who is," you finished, now turned fully towards me.

I looked up from the book and turned to face you too. My face, thankfully, hadn't changed from its blank emotional slate.

"And who would that b—"

Without warning, you leapt forward and kissed me. I felt your gloved hands slide around my waist as you pressed your lips on mine. I hesitated, still wondering if this was some sort of trick, some cruel prank you'd set up with Cyborg. But I figured you two wouldn't be quite that cruel with your jokes. Still, I was cautious as I wrapped my arms around your neck. As I did so, I felt you smile. You pulled back just a centimeter or so."It's okay, Rae. For once in my life I'm being serious," you assured me, having seemed to read my thoughts.

I smiled back and you closed the distance again, but there was one last test for me to perform. From behind your neck, I pushed up the sleeve on my left arm and pinched hard.

My eyes opened to a dark room.

Every so often we long to steal to the land of what might have been.

I lifted a hand up and brushed my fingers across my bottom lip. "It was a dream," I whispered. I then rolled onto my side, tucking my legs to my chest. "It was a dream," I whimpered.

But that doesn't soften the ache we feel when reality sets back in.