I brush my hand over the bristly, shaved side of my head. “This is really weird. My head feels so much lighter.”

“Good riddance is what I say!” Rise sets the clippers on my bathroom counter and runs her hand through the longer hair on top, admiring her handiwork.

“Hey! I’m still grieving here!” I rotate my head back and forth to examine my new undercut. Looking at the floor, I see all the clumps of hair that used to be mine and I feel a pang in my heart. Why did that stupid helmet have to be so small? “It’s like you cut off a part of my soul.”

“Oh, stop being so dramatic. You’ve been letting that gross mane grow out since Luke broke up with you. You look good now! Maybe now you’ll be able to move on.” Rise wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Just make sure the next one brings me chocolate too.”

I roll my eyes and grab the broom we’d put aside. “Don’t get ahead of yourself there. And I can buy you chocolate too!” I begin sweeping my fallen limbs into the dust pan, brushing at her feet to force her to move.

“Yeah, but you always get the cheap stuff…” I stand up to show her my disappointment before finishing the painful task of dumping the lost hair into the garbage.

“I’m sorry my dad isn’t loaded.” Except that he apparently might be. “Until I find another sugar daddy, you’re getting Hershey’s and you’re just gonna have to accept that.” She groans in disappointed annoyance. We step back into the living room to a relaxing Bryan.

“Nice new ‘do.” He stands up and walks over to the two of us, peering at my new look. “You’re gonna pull in a lotta guys with that fresh look. Honestly, the crazy mess wasn’t your best look.” I sneer and Rise laughs with affirmation. “Now, I’m sorry you two, but I must take my leave. Big day at the office tomorrow!” Bryan shows me a knowing grin as he grabs his coat and slides it back on.

“Yeah, and I have an 8AM class.” That one wasn’t actually a lie. “So, Rise, you gotta go back to your place too.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll go.” She gives me one last hug and rustles my hair. “Get a good night’s sleep, kiddo.” The two go through the door together and leave me alone. The sudden silence is blaring.

I figure that my day really does deserve the long rest I asked for and head straight to bed. The longer I laid there, the more the reality of what was coming tomorrow hit me. Am I ready to be a superhero? Is the weight of being the first public superpowered individual gonna crush me? What if I get arrested for being a vigilante? I’m playing a dangerous game… And that excites me. I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

I wake up with a frown as my alarm buzzes away beneath my pillow. I grab it and stop the incessant noise as quickly as I can. I stare at the bright screen for any new messages. Sadly, there’s only one. Bryan reminding me not to forget my “new threads.” I smirk and make my way to the bathroom. I turn on some music to YouTube because making a decision for myself this early is impossible. I bob to the beats as the water patters to the melodies. The bags under my eyes balloon in the mirror making me look like I hadn’t slept in weeks. “Eh, who am I trying to impress?” I slip into boxers, jeans, a t-shirt, and hoodie - my usual.

The music in my ears feels distant as the crowded subway car shakes. Faces are tired, uncaring, unaware. I can’t help but smile at what they’ll be hearing on the news tonight. None of them know what’s coming. But first…

The clock ticks slowly through the lecture. It takes all of my energy not to slam my head in time with the second hand. I can see Claire actively trying not to make eye contact with me. I get that Luke and I broke up but seriously, you’ve been giving me this obnoxious cold shoulder shit for almost two months now. Grow up. I place my pencil between my fingers and begin shaking it up and down to act as some form of distraction. I’d apologize to the professor for a lack of attention but, honestly, that’s the least of my worries right now.

The clock finally hits 10 and I try my best to not look too anxious to get out the door. Claire gives me one last glare as I make my way out. I smile at her. My phone buzzes with impeccable timing. “Hello?”

“Get dressed, there’s about to be a party at 34th and 7th. Near Penn station.” Bryan is direct.

“I’m on my way. Let’s hope the cops don’t bust it up before we get our fun.” He chuckles at my line and I hang up. Jogging down the halls, I burst out the front door of the building and sneak behind by the dumpsters. Changing as fast as I can, I kick my backpack underneath the dumpster. Throwing up the hood, the armor snaps to attention and my face is lost behind the black glass.

“Tyler, can you hear me?” Bryan’s voice plays into my ear, catching me off guard.

“Yes I can! Didn’t know this suit had comms.” I take a few steps back and leap, literally, into action.

“It’s also got a camera feed so I can see what you’re up to. It’ll help me get you around where you need to be. Now get a move on. Looks like the heist is about to begin.” As he talks, I gather many stares and whispers from the citizens as I jump, effortlessly, 50 feet onto a small apartment building and only jump higher and higher.

I can’t help but let out an excited “Woo” as I fly from rooftop to rooftop, running over the city I’d only known from below. “This sure as hell beats the subway!”

“I fucking bet. Turn right. From what I’m hearing, there’s gonna be four armed men-” He begins to list off facts about the group I’m about to stop.

“You sure know a lot about this. You didn’t set this up, did you?” His chuckle answers my question for me.

“No no. Some criminals have dirty cops. I have my clean criminals, if that makes sense.” He sounds proud of himself. “You’ve got one block left. You’re looking for an annoyingly conspicuous black van.”

“Really? These guys amateurs?” I stop on the building’s roof, looking down at the parked car waiting impatiently in front of the jewelry store.

“Quite the opposite. Their choice in vehicle is supposed to be so obvious it blends in. These guys will be dangerous and they’re already inside. I’d get a move on if I were you.”

“If they’re in that big of a hurry, let’s start with the getaway vehicle.” I hop off the roof and let myself plummet onto the front of the vehicle. A cacophony of crunching metal, shattered glass, and shocked screams fill the air as I land in front of a terrified getaway driver. I look down at the completely crushed hood and then to the would-be criminal. “Sorry about that, I was just dropping in.” He starts to unbuckle himself in a panic and leaves the car. I meet him outside his door and grab the front of his jacket. “Was that line too cliched? I’m new to this and I’d love feedback. Nothing? Fine.” I toss him into the side of his van and let him slump to floor. “Oh well.”

I walk around toward the store front and see people gathering to watch and record me. I know they can’t see it, but I can’t stop my smile. “Hello folks, don’t mind me. Just stopping a jewelry store robbery.” I wave at them as I walk through the front door to a rather astonished group. Two men in halloween masks all stare at me with their guns pointed at hostages, while the other two stop shoveling jewelry into large bags. I quickly count three clerks and five customers all on the floor, just as confused.

“I’m looking for a necklace for my mom, she’s gonna kill me if I forget her birthday again this year.” No laughs. “Did I come at a bad time?”

“What the fuck are you supposed to be?” One of the gunmen switches his aim to me while trying to act tough.

I look down at myself and back to him. I gesture down at the armor covering my body and shrug. “A superhero, I guess. What are you supposed to be? Wait! I got this one for you. Going to jail.” I give him double finger guns. “You don’t seem amused but I’m sure there’s a smile under the mask.”

“Kill this asshole.” He pulls the trigger three times. I flinch at first at the thought of being shot. One of the women in the room screams. All three bullets make a loud plink before bouncing off to break a glass display case, landing in a wall, and chipping off into the corner.

“Whoah! I don’t plan on killing you guys but if you keep doing that, the ricochet is gonna catch one of you.” A man from my right runs towards me with his shotgun, reeling back to hit me. I let the butt of the gun slam into my chest and feel the force surge through me. “Oh, that was a dumb idea.” I step beside him and pull my arm back, catching a glimpse of the gauge on my wrist, a grin crosses my face: seven pips. I throw my fist forward and force it to stop just inches from the robbers chest. The pulse that follows obviously catches him off guard. I had underestimated what my power could as I watch him fly backwards through the display window of the store and crash into his own van. My eyes go wide as I turn back to the rest of the store. “I’m gonna be honest, I can’t pay for the window. But I can do this!”

I sprint towards the men who’d shot me just a few seconds ago and place a palm to his stomach. I let a small burst fire out, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sliding backwards. I spin around towards the other hostage taker and use my dad’s trick to flick my finger and send him crashing into the wall. Finally… The last man runs out the front door and stars sprinting down the sidewalk. “Oh come on! Really?” I run over and slide the robbers’ guns to the hostages before sprinting after the fourth man. “The cops will be here soon!” I call back to the group in the store and watching me.

By the time I get outside, he’s already 30 feet out. “Everyone, back up.” The group spreads apart to give me space as I take a running leap just like yesterdays. When I land, I’m just a few feet behind him. “And….” I line up my shot and take one last flick to send him, face first, down the concrete. “Oh, that probably really hurt…”

Just then, a voice rings out from behind me. “Hey! Who are you?!” A young man who’d been filming the whole fight was staring at me with the whole group.

“How about… Burst.” Another onlooker offers the name to the crowd.

I nod at them. “Yeah, I like that. I’m Burst.” I give them a two finger salute, and jump up onto the roof, leaving my new fans behind.