I woke in the middle of the night with cold sweat soaking my sheets. My skin was damp and my hair matted. I sat up quickly, gasping for air and clutching at my pillows and surroundings. Where was I? What had happened?

I eventually realized that I'd had a bad dream. Again. Would this ever stop? Would the nightmares ever end? I was starting to feel like I would always be haunted by the curse of my past.

Not wanting to dwell on the memories that stabbed at my mind like knives, I got up and decided to go for a walk. It was hot and stuffy in my room, and I needed some fresh air. I hoped no one was up, because I didn't need a million questions on what i was doing.

I just needed some space.

---------------------------------------

Damian's POV:

I spotted Sasha from where I stood on the roof of Wayne Manor. I was above my bedroom, near the window that I jumped through every evening when Bruce wouldn't let me come with him in the car. The Batmobile. Whatever.

I didn't know why she was up and about at three in the morning. The sky was pitch black and wind whistled in the trees of the surrounding forest. Surely she wouldn't walk too far, right? I knew she'd get lost in the woods if she did.

Unsure what to do, I decided to keep an eye on her. She was pacing around the east garden, stopping every now and then to look behind her. It was as if she knew someone was watching. I had to remain hidden.

I couldn't help noticing the way the breeze lifted her blonde ponytail, like it was floating behind her. She had nice hair. It reminded me of sunlight, the kind that peeks through your window each morning and reflects around your room.

She was wearing a tank top and shorts, nothing else. She should've been freezing, but it didn't seem like it. I didn't understand how she was walking around like that. Maybe something was wrong.

After a while I realized that I shouldn't be staring at her. It was creepy, considering she didn't know I was there. So I slid through my window and landed softly on the floor, then changed and made my way down to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Sasha walked in moments later. We kind of stared at each other for a few seconds, both a little hesitant in what to say.

"Why are you up?" She managed first, moonlight from the tall windows casting shadows across her face.

"Couldn't sleep," I lied.

Of course she couldn't know what I really did most nights. Bruce would kill me, and it would complicate things. We'd all decided that it was best she didn't know.

And judging by her past (and her father being Slade) she probably wouldn't handle that knowledge well. I assumed that she'd been trained to believe all sorts of negative things about Batman. And other heroes, too.

Sasha nodded and stood there awkwardly. It was always so awkward between us.

Before I could stop myself, I suddenly blurted out, "Aren't you cold in that?"

It was a dumb thing to say. It made me sound weird, like I was staring at her when I wasn't. Well, I had been before... but that was different.

"Huh?" She seemed confused, then glanced down at her Pajama set. "Oh, right. I guess I am a little."

I moved past her to the kitchen and found something to eat. I was always starving after missions and patrols, they tired me out.

"Goodnight, Damian," she said quietly before I heard the soft thud of her feet on the stairs.

"Goodnight," I whispered to no one but the air around me.

------------------------------

Sasha's POV

The next day at school I bumped into Flynn. He always scared me, with his aggressive demeanor and shark-like grin.

What an asshole he was. Every time I saw him i was reminded of the bully he used to be, and still was. All the torture he'd put me through. It made my blood boil thinking about it.

I tried to focus on happier things, like how I'd gotten an A on my English essay. English was definitely one of my strongest subjects, though it annoyed me how Damian received an A+ for everything he did. It was like he didn't even try.

Once I'd recovered from the mean shove Flynn had given me, I spotted Rebecca walking over to me and engaged in conversation with her. I kind of wanted to tell her about my past relationship with Flynn, but I knew I couldn't. She would hate me if she knew the truth.

I doubted anyone would want to be friends with an assassin.

"Woah, don't look now, but Summer Dawson is literally coming straight toward us," Rebecca suddenly whispered. My reflexes kicked in and whipped my head around.

"I said don't look!" Rebecca hissed, but i ignored her. Summer, with her beautiful golden hair and immaculate skin, was most definitely walking toward us. She looked shy almost, which was odd.

She eventually stopped a couple of feet away from where we stood. "Hey, Sasha," she spoke softly.

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. "I'm throwing a party this weekend, and uh... I was wondering if you wanted to come."

Summer quickly added, "You don't have to, though. I totally get it."

I was beyond shocked. Summer Dawson was inviting me to a party? Her party? Me? And she seemed so shy about it, like she thought I had better things to do or something. Yeah, right!

I felt the need to look around for cameras. Maybe this was a prank?

But then I remembered our moment yesterday when I'd comforted her. Maybe this was a way to show her gratitude, or thank me, or something like that.

Summer stared at her feet as she awaited my reply, which took a little while because my mouth wouldn't work. I finally managed to say, "Yes, yes, I would love to."

She almost seemed relieved, which shook me even more. Did she seriously think I would turn her down? Who in their right mind would turn down an invitation from Summer?

"Wow... okay!" Summer laughed nervously. She leaned forward and handed me a slip of paper.

Then she glanced at Rebecca, who's jaw was currently on the floor. "Rebecca, you can come too."

Rebecca was handed a similar slip. She looked so utterly shocked, for a second I thought she was about to faint.

"Well, uh, I'll see you guys there!" Summer beamed. She was about to turn around and leave, but something caught her eye.

I watched as her irises followed a figure walking past us. Glancing to my left I spotted Damian, with his duffel bag slung loosely over his shoulder and his hair in a sweaty mess. He'd obviously been at the gym.

His eyes flickered over to Summer and I, and he gave the smallest smile known to mankind. I could almost hear the swoon in Summer's facial expressions. She looked awestruck.

Once Damian had disappeared down the corridor, the sun-tanned girl regained consciousness. She blushed the deepest shade of red before whispering, "Uh, would you mind telling Damian that he's invited, too?"

Huh. Summer and Damian. I could kind of see it, they were both stupidly attractive. Not that I thought of Damian in that way. No, not at all.

When I eventually sat down next to Damian in advanced chemistry, I slid the paper invite over to his side of the desk. He stared at me for a while, obviously confused. "It's from Summer," I whispered.

He opened up the slip and read it with an emotionless face. "She invited me too," I added.

Damian didn't seem to care one bit. He just put the slip in his pocket and continued writing. I hated how it was so hard for me to read him, he never let anything show.

Was he going to go or not? I didn't want Summer to be upset if he didn't, she'd already been through a lot. The way she looked at him told me she definitely had strong feelings for Damian. It was quite cute.

---------

Later that day, I encountered Flynn's annoying gang once more. I was actually starting to grow scared of them, which was weird because I had been trained to kill people all my life and they were just ordinary kids.

But there was something menacing about the group of boys. There were about seven of them, mostly tall, with generally attractive faces. They looked pretty rough for private school boys and never wore the uniform correctly.

Flynn seemed to have made a name for himself. It was like all the other bullies hung up their coats as soon as he'd arrived, knowing they barely stood a chance. He and his group were probably at the top of the school, maybe even in front of the popular kids.

Everyone new not to mess with them. Everyone but me, I guess.

I shouldn't have done anything, I should've just walked away. But of course, my impulsive personality just had to make things worse.

"Sup, Blondie," Flynn exclaimed as I entered the cafeteria. I felt quite a lot of eyes on me from everyone else in the room. It seemed that something was going to happen, and everyone wanted to watch.

Instinctively, I searched the area for Damian. No such luck, he wasn't there yet.

I told myself I didn't need him. I was the assassin, not him. I could defend myself. Right?

Wrong. Flynn's buddies made a sort of semi-circle around me. I nearly shat myself just from being in their presence. Admittedly, they were a lot taller than me so I was nervous.

"Long time no see!" Flynn continued. "Man, it feels like we haven't talked in ages."

His friends snickered and I felt my blood go cold. All the old memories of his torments came flooding back to my head. All my insecurities he'd picked out, all the bruises he'd left on me. All the dumb jokes and "pranks" that had left me crying and bleeding.

Not again, was all I could think. I could barely form words.

Something gold and shimmery caught my eye. I noticed Summer Dawson standing with her lunch tray a couple feet away. She looked worried, and she was staring right into my eyes with an expression that read, are you okay?

I wanted to yell back "No! Obviously Not!"

But there was nothing she could do, or I could do, for that matter. I just had to try and get away from this situation before Flynn turned physical.

"What do you want, Flynn," I mumbled. Oh, how this brought me back to midnight. It was like the past was repeating itself right in front of my eyes.

"Who said I wanted anything?" He replied bitterly. Dirty-blonde hair rested in front of eyes, it had definitely grown over the last couple of months. I wondered why he hadn't cut it yet.

It was pretty quiet in the cafeteria, except for a few small conversations that took place on the far side of the room. I literally wanted to sink into the floor. This was so embarrassing, everyone was staring at me.

"Is that the new iPhone?" One of his pals spoke up, eyes glued to my hand. I had forgotten i was holding my phone and wished that I'd just left in my locker. Shit, shit, shit.

Another guy added, "Show us, babe."

My grip tightened on it. "No thanks."

They all laughed, before Flynn stepped forward and made a grab for my wrist. I jerked away, glaring daggers at him. "Get the hell away from me."

"Oh, shit, I'm fucking scared," he spoke sarcastically, earning more laughter from the gang. "Come on, Sasha, we just wanna see your new phone. Don't be selfish."

I could not believe this right now. I considered making a run for it but knew that Flynn would probably grab me, or catch up to me. Where were all the teachers, anyway? Shouldn't they be stopping this?

"I said get away from me. Just let me eat my fucking food, Flynn."

They all made an Oooooh sound, which frustrated the hell out of me. I wanted to hit someone desperately. I really needed Damian to back me up in case something happened, because I could feel this escalating.

"You were always such a bitch back at Midnight," Flynn smirked, eyes narrowed but lips curled. He knew that the last thing I wanted was to be exposed like this to the entire grade.

My eyes widened slightly, and I was about to reply when someone beat me to it. "Leave her alone, guys," Summer spoke gently. She stood between me and the towering boys. "Don't you have better things to do?"

"Back off, sweetie," one of the others snapped at her. She held up the middle finger to him, which made me stifle a laugh.

Angry now, the boy growled, "If you think I won't hurt you, you're wrong."

"Quit it with the tough talk. No one's believing you."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips this time. I'd never seen her so rude before and I loved it.

The boy didn't, however, and even though his friends laughed at the insult, he did not find it funny at all. Instead he lunged at Summer, and shoved her a couple steps back.

A sense of protectiveness came over me. I marched forward until I was inches away from his face, furious that he'd hurt my friend. "Don't you dare touch her!"

Another boy said, "Or what? What're you gonna do, blondie?"

And that was when I made my first mistake.