"You've have quite a record here," Batman said.
"Thank you, I'm very proud of it," I replied.
I had to listen. That didn't mean I had to cooperate, so to speak. I heard Canary sigh.
"Batman, maybe I should talk to her," she suggested.
"Sanchez, please inform Black Canary that I don't want to speak to her ever again," I requested.
Yeah, talking to a stick. Not mental at all.
"Ariel," Canary began.
"Look," I said to Batman. "Get me some ice cream and I'll talk."
He eyed me, carefully. I held up one hand.
"Scout's honor."
One thing I honestly never expected a superhero to do was leave me alone in a room. A room that, on a side note, smelled like chocolate. Astonished just a bit, I realized the room wasn't the only thing smelling like chocolate. I stood and wandered over the door, trying to look nonchalant, just in case there was a camera in here. Peeking into the hall, I found it was empty but the chocolate was really overpowering my sense of caution. I crept down the hall and peeked around the corner into the kitchen. M'gann was standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot. Yes, I knew their names. I also knew Superboy or Conner's missing pair of boxers was under his bed. They were kind of adorable actually. They had little kangaroos on them and everything. Anyway, M'gann turned, looking directly at me. She smiled.
"Hi!" she greeted.
I glanced behind me to make sure she was actually talking to me. Surprisingly, she was. Her greeting triggered a whole chain of reactions. Conner's head popped up out of nowhere as he stood. Artemis and Robin looked over from their places at the bar where they were arguing over some paper and books. Homework, most likely. My face grew red. So four were accounted for. Where was the worst? An arm wrapped around my shoulders.
"Hey, pretty lady," came a voice.
And there was my answer. I was deciding between flipping him over my shoulder or lifting the temperature of my body just a bit. Lucky for Wally, Artemis came to his rescue just in time.
"She's not even on the team yet and already you're hitting on her?" Artemis snapped.
I flicked Wally's arm off my shoulders.
"Trust me, Artemis, my taste in guys isn't that pathetic," I said.
Both Artemis and Robin held back laughs. I looked at Wally.
"Touch me again and you will regret it," I declared.
"I was just trying to be friendly," he said in defense.
I rolled my eyes.
"Did it ever occur to you that there may be a reason I only come here when you're all gone? I'm sure Canary told you that."
"If you feel that way, why are you still here?" Conner asked.
He didn't ask it to be cruel but it still kind of stung. I crossed my arms.
"I just want Sanchez back, okay?" I snapped.
"The stick?" Artemis asked.
She totally thought I was a loon.
"Sanchez is not just a stick!" I yelled. "He's the only offspring of James Bond and Chuck Norris!"
It seemed stupid but hey, I got the damn thing when I was like, 8. It's hard not to grow attached.
"What?" Conner asked.
I shrugged like it was nothing.
"Most kids have an imaginary friend. I had a stick," I replied.
They couldn't tell how to respond to that. I'd completely stumped them and the silence was getting awkward and uncomfortable.
"Hello M'gann!" M'gann said loudly.
She turned to the stove and pulled something from the oven.
"I hope you're hungry!" she said.
"Team!"
I jumped. What was with all the guys sneaking up behind me today? This time it was Kaldur.
"We have a mission."
To say they all leapt into action was an understatement. In only what felt like a heartbeat, they were all headed for the exit. Robin stopped beside me.
"You comin'?" he asked.
"Eh, why not?" I replied. "I've got time to kill."