Red lantern at Super Hero high

1st day

"Can you believe it Vera, our first day at super hero high!?" Leroy cried as the two flew down the hallway the next day.

Vera stared at her friend for a moment. He'd make friends, become popular, be a fan-favorite hero. He'd move on from their friendship. She'd get over it.

"No I can't. I'm a red lantern Leroy." She said gently. "You're gold. You knew you would get in. I was prepared to be arrested."

"Vera, what's wrong? Yesterday you were so excited." Leroy asked.

"I just..."

Suddenly, Wonder Woman and Bumblebee flew over to them.

"Hi there." Wonder Woman said.

"We're here to help you two get settled at Super hero high." Bumblebee explained.

"Great!" Leroy cried.

"Thanks, but I know my way." Vera said as she flew past all 3 of them. Suddenly, she felt the tinge in Leroy's emotions.

While gold Lanterns ALWAYS felt happy, they had different types of happinesses. Sad happiness, angry happiness, etc. It's confusing.

Leroy emitted a confused and sad happiness.

"See you later Lee." She said. He went back to pure bliss.

Leroy had a great day. He had made lots of friends, including all the lanterns at the school.

At lunch, he was surrounded by friends. Vera was not one of them. He looked for her but couldn't find her.

Vera stood in a very, very dark corner of the cafeteria. Alone. Even in her bright red outfit, she was hidden.

Raven suddenly appeared beside her.

"Hey." She said. Vera didn't even flinch.

"Hi."

"I've seen you reading books all day and I had a question."

"What?" Vera asked

"Wanna join the book club?"

Vera froze in shock. No one ever wanted her in anything. And she had never forced them to let her in. Leroy had, but he had his own life and other friends. Vera had a life but no other friends. Maybe now she could.

"When...when do we meet up?" Vera asked.

"Two days from now, here's a copy of the book we're reading." Raven said as she handed Vera a book

It was titled Beloved.

"I've read this exactly 6 times. Personal favorite. It will be...nice to discuss it with...others." Vera said cautiously.

"Good." Raven said as the bell rang for the next class. "Come on, you and me have the same class next. Maybe we'll be partners for the next project."

Vera made a rare smile.

"Cool." She said.