"So, how are you going to tell your family and friends that you're not coming back?" Raven asked from behind me.
"Oh, I don't have any," I answered blandly, refusing to face her.
She slowed. "Why?"
"I'm an orphan, given up at birth. I also move around a lot before I can make friends. People normally avoid me because I have some weird habits." I explained quickly, hiding all emotions.
"Oh, sorry," Raven muttered.
"It's fine," I said, smiling faintly. "It turned out fine anyway." I winked and lit the tip of my finger on fire.
I stopped on my room's windowsill on the sixth floor of my orphanage, which was just a small apartment building. I tugged on the windowsill until it flew open with a screech which sent me off balance. I fell off the window, but regained my composure by flying into my room and landing in the center. I surveyed the room.
"Cobwebs, rotting wood, and broken furniture," I sighed. "No place like home."
I grabbed my books, notebooks, and drawing books and flew out the window, all in a hurry.
"Let's get out of here," I murmured.
"That's….awful," Raven gasped softly, lingering to stare at the inadequate living quarters.
"Whatever, at least I'm out," I spat, not hiding the disgust from my voice.
"Here, let me help," she offered. She used her powers to create a small disc of energy that I set the books on.
"Thanks," I said. She only nodded.
A few minutes later, we reentered my still fully occupied room and I organized the books onto the bookshelf. Paranormal on the top, then mystery, and then other and my drawing books and notebooks on the bottom.
"Ugh, still smells like home," I growled quietly.
I quickly changed my mood and turned around. "Done!" I chirped cheerfully. Raven didn't look convinced. I glanced out the window. "Geez, it's late. Can I go to sleep now?"
"Sure. Goodnight." Robin answered, obviously sensing my need to be alone. He led everyone out the door. It slid shut and I leapt onto the bed, to upset to take off my cape.
"Ugh," I moaned, burying my face in a pillow.
I fell asleep instantly, hoping for a peaceful sleep for once.
But, of course that didn't happen.
I woke up in my old room, in the orphanage, as if nothing had happened. I had my old hair, old worn out clothes, and old roommate. Katherine, or Kat, snarled at me, "Finally you're awake. You've been murmuring about fire and the Teen Titans all night."
"I was?" I asked drowsily.
"Yeah, stupid!" she spat and left.
"Ugh, stupid life," I growled, getting ready for school.
Suddenly, the room burst into flames and I screamed. There was a low chuckle and Red X's face appeared.
"Say goodnight, sweetie," he sniggered.
He turned into a Fire-Pistol and went off.
I screamed as I burned.
I woke up screaming and sweating. I immediately flew up to the window and threw it open. I rocketed out and up to the roof. I landed and collapsed on the roof.
"Not getting any sleep tonight," I muttered gazing at the stars. I glanced at the position of the moon. It had to be around to o'clock in the morning. "Ugh, it's going to be a long night Kodi."
"I thought you were Red now." I jumped and whirled around so fast, I might have broken a record.
"Beast Boy," I exhaled. I was screaming at him in my head, "Never sneak up on me in the middle of the night! My God!" but out loud I only said, "I'll probably call myself Kodi when I'm emotional."
"Oh," he said, although it was obvious he still didn't understand. His faced changed from confused to concerned. "I heard you scream. What happened?"
"Just a nightmare," I explained hastily. I maneuvered to the edge of the roof and looked at the city.
"Wanna share?" he sat next to me.
"Just the whole F-Pistol thing not happening. Back to reality." I hugged my knees. I felt him looking at me questioningly, but I avoided his gaze. Finally, I gave in. "And Red X shot me again, except I didn't absorb it." I was surprised at how easily the words tumbled out of my mouth.
Beast Boy slowly put his arm on my shoulder and rubbed calmingly. "Well, it's gone now," he said smiling. "It was just a dream and you'll never have to go back to it." I looked down, smiling and blushing.
He stood up and I looked up at him. "You should go inside soon. We wouldn't want you to catch a cold." I couldn't tell if he was serious or joking, so I just guessed it was both. He patted my head teasingly and I swatted it away. "And don't wake me up again!"
I smiled at him as he went back inside, and then turned back to the city. I squeezed my knees tighter and grinned even wider. Then, I groaned, dropped my head onto my hands, and lay on my back on the roof.
Slowly, I moved my hands off of my face and looked at the sky. "Kodi, you have no chance," I sighed.
At that moment, several stars shone brighter, forming a perfect heart. My eyes widened at the sight, but then I shook my head vigorously, throwing out the thought.
I retreated to my room and returned to my bed. I smiled and thought, "That definitely means good dreams are coming."
I fell asleep and figured out that I was right,