My eyes snapped open, and I sat up quickly, scanning my surroundings with X-Ray vision as I panted from the nightmare.
It was 5 a.m., and I was sitting up on the long gray couch, wondering what I could do since I was more than likely the first person in the entire tower to wake up.
Stupid nightmares.
I stood up and looked up at the sky through the giant glass. It was still dark outside, but the sun had a small peak out, so it wasn't for too long I'd have to wait for it.
I found the hallway bathroom and slipped into a pair of gym shorts and a muscle shirt. I sped and sped through the hallways until I found the gym door. It opened, revealing amazing equipment.
There was a bench presser, dumbbells covering half of a wall, treadmills, bikes, and my most favorite piece of all - A punching bag.
~
It swung backwards, then made its way towards me. My arms took power, punching and grabbing at it. After about an hour and a half, I felt it was time to end my session.
I sped back to the bathroom, using my super speed to get ready for the day.
I dressed in my uniform, consisting of navy, crimson red, and yellow. I admired the long sleeve with the 'S' crest on it, in red, contrasting among the deep navy blue. My yellow utility belt was snugly in place, holding anything I could possibly need, leading down towards the crimson red skirt. It flared out in a way, making the outfit itself appear more as a dress than anything. Clinging to my back and attached to the navy was a crimson red cape, and crimson red knee-high boots to complete the look.
I packed up my stuff and set it on the couch, preparing to leave as soon as the Titans were up and running.
The sun was beginning to rise, forcing me to find a way to reach its beauty. I ran out the front door and flew up to the rooftop, sitting at the edge and admiring the view.
I took a deep breath of regret as I sat there, throwing myself a pathetic pity party. I should have just given up and went straight to Lex Luthor to strike a deal with him. I shouldn't have ran.
A tear slid down my face, along with another one...
I wiped at my eyes, knowing well that they were bloodshot. I should be able to control all of this and keep my composure.
Observing the team last night, it was Raven who caught my attention second to Robin. If I were more like Raven, consistently in control of my own emotions, I wouldn't have a problem.
I watched the sun rise higher. Normally, I'd smile at its saturated hues of warmth and light, but right now, I couldn't feel any more negative.
My legs dangled off the edge, and I heard nothing but the wind, the chirping birds, and cars. Everything was quiet until I heard a door. Based on the amount of pressure in the footsteps approaching me and the speed of said footsteps, I knew who it was.
Robin walked over to me and sat down on the edge of the rooftop, "Morning. I came down to the living room but you weren't there."
"I tend to wake up early. I found the gym and stayed there for a while, then I got ready and came up here," I explained.
He gave me a smile. I smiled back, and turned back to watching the sun.
"So you like the sun too?" he questioned awkwardly.
"Yeah. It's sort of new for me, gives me some time to collect my thoughts," I said quietly, earning a questioning gaze from him.
"We're having breakfast in about five minutes, then we're up to do our usual training. I discussed with the team that we want to see your fighting skills. Is that okay?" Robin's voice was firm, but kind towards me, a total stranger.
"Sure," I nodded.
He led the way down to the kitchen. Everyone was in the kitchen cooking something. Cyborg was making bacon on a skillet, Beastboy had tofu waffles, Raven had sausage, and Starfire was cooking up some sort of mystery substance. A small station with hash browns was set up. Robin must have been cooking as well.
"Care to join, Amber?" he asked. I nodded, subtly using my X-ray vision to find what I was looking for. Before they knew it, I was making chocolate chip pancakes, keeping to my task.
~
"Who's hungry?" I asked. I turned and I was instantly confused. Everyone was staring at me like I had grown a second head. My eyebrows furrowed, "Is there a problem? Did I do something wrong?"
Starfire had broken the silence by squealing and flying over to me. "Friend! You are a joy to us! Let us do the 'chowing down' on all this glorious and delicious food we all have made!"
I smiled at her faintly, feeling the blood in my face rush to my cheeks.
The table was now set with sausage, hash browns, bacon, tofu waffles, and pancakes. I couldn't help but stare at everything with hunger. My mouth watered, and my stomach roared. We sat down and piled our plates with food.
Everyone except for myself hadn't touched Beast Boy's tofu waffles.
I grabbed a tofu waffle with my fork and stuffed a bit of it into my mouth. I smiled at Beast Boy and ate the rest. "Who's got skills? We have TWO people in this tower who like tofu!!!!" He seemed relieved and overjoyed that I liked tofu.
We, or should I say the team, conversed about random stuff while we ate. Instantaneously, I felt a surge of relief. I was at ease, sitting here with a home cooked meal on my plate as I watched them smile and laugh.
"So Amber, how long are you staying?" asked Cyborg. Hhhmm...I guess last night might have been the only time I had to stay here.
"I'm actually looking to settle in Jump City. I'm going to search for an apartment once I leave." And I had to soon. With all that money I had taken out of my safe at Clark's, I would be set.
Starfire decided to step in. "Amber! Must you live alone? Perhaps we can make room for your own accommodation here." Her emerald eyes seemed sincere.
My modesty kicked in. "It's a kind gesture, but you guys are already quite a team. I don't think I'd be a good fit," I shrugged, keeping a cool composure on my face.
"You're acting like you don't have any sort of way to contribute to fighting crime. You have powers. We saw what you did for us yesterday, so why don't we all just head outside and see what you're made of?" Robin interfered, stopping me from arguing further.
I could only sigh quietly, as we finished breakfast and headed outside.
"Robin, Amber. You're up," Raven declared.
Immediately, Robin charged at me. I had no intention to use any of my abilities. I dodged him and swept him off his feet with a dragon sweep. He had an advantage, because his foot was about to land on my stomach.
I swiftly rolled over, jumping to my feet in the process. I threw a left hook to his face, only to be blocked and hit with quite a blow below my throat. The force of it knocked me to the ground. He's either lucky that blow threw me off guard, or observant.
His foot was coming down yet again, so I grabbed it and hurled him a few feet away. He grabbed one of the bamboo staffs, forcing me to grab the other one. As I had a good grip on the staff, he swung, and if my senses weren't as accurate as I felt them to be, I would have been hit in the face.
I immediately turned, raised my staff slightly upwards and hit Robin's as hard as I could. I may have used too much force because not only did his staff break, but I hit him and knocked him to the ground, my staff on his chest.
His face was quite priceless, I tell you. I chuckled and stepped away, dropping my staff. He jumped to his feet and grinned at me, "That was really impressive. You sure know how to knock someone off their feet."
"Thanks," I smiled faintly, feeling the scrutiny.
"We should get back inside and check the radar for anything. Usually if a criminal is causing trouble, our alarms go off," Cyborg explained to me. So this is how they'd know when they're at home.
We began heading back inside when I heard something out of the ordinary. And it was a danger for the team.
"No," I growled, feeling every fiber in my body boil.
"What is it?" Robin questioned. I pointed at my ear and stared at a random direction, listening. I shook a little in fear, fear for Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, BeastBoy, and Raven.
"I'm not sure how I'll be able to say this without sounding suspicious, but you guys should get inside and don't leave the tower. I'll explain everything when I get back. Someone's followed me."