Blue Lantern

Comfort Zone

I had sat around the house for the last few days, as school had been canceled. The disastrous events that had occurred only days ago still haunting my thoughts. If I had been more careful, if I had made sure that everyone was safe, if I had gotten Black Hand to higher ground, away from the school, maybe Derrick would've lived. 

But I didn't, I couldn't save him, I couldn't. The funeral is in two days, and I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Sixteen years old, he was only sixteen years old. I swore that I wouldn't let what I'm doing hurt anyone else, and here I was now, hiding like a coward. My hair is a complete rats nest, I probably look like I've been living in a cardboard box (doesn't help with the fact that I've showered about twice since it happened), I've eaten about one and a half meals daily for the last week, and I've been wearing my pajamas and refusing to leave the house. All I can will myself to do is just sit here, binge watching reruns of Victorious all day.

"Stella" My Uncle Hal said, "Why don't you go down to the mountain for a bit, I'm sure spending time with the team will help".

"I don't know," I made up an excuse, "I'm not feeling very good right now".

"Get up, you're going to Mount Justice" He insisted.

"Fine, but I'm flying all the way there" I replied.

I walked out the door and activated my ring before flying into the city and to the zeta tube. I arrived at Mount Justice to find the entire team there. I immediately deactivated my suit and walked into the living room.

"Hey Blue? Where have you been for the last two weeks?" Wally asked.

"I don't wanna talk about it" I said in a melancholy tone. I really didn't want to talk to anyone right now, except Artemis. 

"Something wrong?" Artemis said with obvious concern. I really, really need her right now.

"Yes" I said, tears welling up my eyes, before I knew it, I was full-on sobbing into Artemis's shoulder. "The other day, Black Hand attacked my school. Guy showed up, and we thought we took him down, but he fled. We were used energy from our rings, and it caused another explosion. It killed my best friend, and I watched him die".

"Oh my god, Stella" Artemis said with pure compassion in her voice, "Come here". She led me into her room at the Mountain and sat me down on the bed. 

"I'm going to tell you the whole story" I said with an unfamiliar seriousness in my voice, "When I was just about thirteen, I was chosen to join the Blue Lantern Corps, but the only training I had was two years of gymnastics when I was seven. My Uncle Hal offered to train me. but I decided to go to Odym and train with the Blue Lanterns. I planned on staying there for two and a half years, but just around the time that I had been training for two years exactly, I get a message telling me that my parents were killed. It was in the Star City attacks, and they were just collateral damage. I had to come home, I have five siblings. We were going to go to a foster home, but my Uncle Hal and Aunt Carol decided to take all six of us. Derrick was my best friend since we were four, and he was one of the few people I felt that I could trust, that number is decreasing way faster than it should be". 

"Oh baby, " Artemis said as I sobbed into her chest, "Come here".

I straddled her waist and wrapped my arms around her. She pulled me close to her and kissed the top of my head, before I leaned up and kissed her.

"I don't deserve you" I said.

"You would do the same for me" She said. 

"I didn't know you could be so sentimental" I replied.

"I've had my share of unhappy endings too" She said before leaning back in for a kiss. 

"I'm a mess" I said before leaning us back onto the bed and cuddling close to her. It's usually me helping Artemis with things that she's been going through at home. 

"We all are" She replied. 

I'd feel safe even if the entire Red Lantern Corps attacked right now. I know some people say that doing some things is out of their comfort zone, but I think I've found mine, and it's right here, with my girl.

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Sorry it's sort of short, but it's one emotional chapter right here.