2 weeks pass, it’s now early November

“Okay class, as we all know, Thanksgiving break and winter break are coming up soon, so we’ll start getting ready for the end of the first semester. This test will be very important, so it’s even more important we all stay focused and that …” 

I looked over in class to see Iris with her head down, quietly snoring in the front of class. It was unlike her to ever sleep in class, but recently she’s been knocked out in all of her classes. It was odd, and I wanted to know what was bothering her.

“Excuse me Ms.Reed? But it seems like Jaye’sun’s habits are catching up with you, sleeping in class is so unlike you.” Mr.Johnson said.

“S-sorry I’ve just been really tired, been working on a lot after school, and it’s been hard to get proper sleep.” she said, rubbing her eyes.

“Alright, just focus on getting more sleep, the semester is wrapping up soon, and it’s important you’re ready. Well, like I was saying in class …” Mr.Johnson continued.

I wasn’t really focused on what he said though, there was only one more day till the internship started at G.O.D. To be honest, I’m nervous, but I can’t let that stop me. I'm going to be able to work alongside real heroes, real stars, and celebrities. I doubt any of the big time heroes would have time to meet us, but still this is a huge opportunity for the three of us to take.

School went like usual till the end of the day where we all met up at the gardening club.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late, I kinda locked myself out of my locker… and then I left my bag in my chemistry class, but I’m here now!” I said out of breath.

“Hey Jaye’sun, you’re just in time, I actually have some news I need to tell you, so it’s best you sit down.” Iris said quietly.

“What’s wrong? Does Bryce know?” I responded.

“Not a clue, Iris said she wanted to wait till we’re all here, but I have not the slightest idea what she got on her mind.” Bryce said.

“Well I know tomorrow we’re all supposed to start our internship as we were selected by the school thanks to Jaye’sun’s father. But… I don’t think I’ll be taking part, my grades have been falling behind, and I really need to take this time to study…” She said, trailing off as she spoke.

“Is that really the reason Iris?” Bryce suddenly said.

“No… no, not really if I’m being honest with you guys.” Iris replied.

Why would she not go? She seemed just as excited as Bryce and I about this, I mean who wouldn’t want to see one of the world's biggest corporations?

“It’s just, I don’t think I’m strong enough right now, after the Jeremy incident 3 weeks ago, it made me realize I’m not strong enough to hold my own against these threats. I let myself get cornered and attacked by someone with no fighting experience, and my mistake caused all you guys to get injured!”

“Yeah but Ir-” I stuttered.

“Shut up… please…”

We both fell silent, as me and Bryce waited for Iris to speak.

“I don’t want to always feel like I need saving, look guys, I know you’ll be there to protect me. But I also don’t want to be useless, I’ve been on my own for most of my life now, I really do appreciate you guys, but I need to be strong on my own too. We’re a team right? Then we all need to pull our weight, so let me do this for me.” Iris said in a stern voice.

“But Iris…” I started.

“Yo Jaye, I think we should respect her decision, I know we want her to go with us, but we also can’t force her to, can we?” Bryce asked.

“Yeah..” I responded.

“I’m sorry guys, I know we promised to do everything together, but I need this for me, and plus we can still hangout on the weekend.” She smiled, softly.

I understood where she was coming from, I did, but the feeling of the three of us not being together for a while made me feel like I was losing a part of me.

Just then there was a knock at the door, and we all turned, as Iris got up to open it.

“Well, well, I guess you weren’t lying, there really are three of you losers, I just wanted to stop by and see how my lovely school is doing. I also wanted to talk to… uhm, what’s his name? It starts with a J or … something like that.” Lucas said.

“Jaye’sun?” Bryce questioned.

“Him, I heard his dad is the one offering those internship opportunities, I recently got an email that I was accepted, and thought I might as well get to know the son of one of my dad’s clients.”

“Clients?” I asked.

“Well my dad's pharmaceutical company is one of G.O.D’s main sponsors, so I pretty much pay your bills” Lucas laughed.

“Hey Lucas.” Bryce suddenly said.

“What is it that you want? I have no business with you.” 

Bryce grabbed him by his dress shirt, holding the collar of it.

“Have you tried shutting up for once? I’m sick of you acting like you own this place.” Bryce demanded.

Lucas laughed in Bryce’s face.

“Awww, did I strike a nerve talking about your friend that way? Are you gonna cry about it? Look, I never said anything that wasn’t true, have I? No, I haven’t, but you’re too emotional to think logically and simply act on your feelings. I meant no harm with my statement, but an irrational child like yourself couldn’t understand that. So I’m going to ask you nicely to let go of my shirt.” Lucas stated with a smug smile on his face.

Bryce continued to grip his shirt, as he started to look more upset, and clenching his fist.

“I didn’t stutter did I? I told you to let go… Now.” Lucas responded.

Bryce’s grip loosened, as he let go of Lucas’s shirt and turned away. Lucas brushed off his shirt, fixing his collar before starting to speak.

“Good boy, now as I was saying, I look forward to working alongside you, just don’t get in my way, okay? Oh, and I thought you would like to know, Maria will be accompanying us, making five of us total. Have a good day now.” he said with a smile as he turned and walked out the room.

“He- hey Bryce, are you good man? I’ve never seen you act like this before.” I stammered.

“Yeah, I’m fine Jaye, I just hate rich arrogant people, nothing pisses me off more. I’m going to go for a walk, I just need to cool off, and take some time to myself.” He responded.

“How about we all just go home for the day? We’re clearly all going through a lot, I’ll finish up here and you guys can get going, I’ll see you guys in class tomorrow.” Iris pulled us all into a hug, and shoo us off.

Pov shifts to Bryce

“Just where does he get off thinking he can talk to people however he wants? I just can’t stand it.”

I walked off kicking a trash can over while on my way out from school, before suddenly bumping into someone.

“Hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” I looked up to see Maria Lugwig.

“Oh, it’s you…” I said quietly.

“Wow, well that’s a little rude don’t you think? I don’t even know you, and plus you were the one who bumped into me. Maybe learn some manners.” She said annoyed, stomping off.

“That was rude wasn’t it… Man I don’t know what came over me recently, this hero stuff is starting to stress me out.” I sighed.

Just then I felt a hand around my neck. Out of instinct I grabbed the arm swinging the person over my shoulder. But they suddenly changed the momentum, swinging me and throwing me to the ground, then pinning me on my back.

“Did you say hero…?” a raspy voice responded.

“Look, get off of me, I Don’t know you!” I exclaimed.

“Bryce Anderson, 16, born May 12th, no siblings, and struggling parents. Am I right?” the man whispered.

“How… how do you know that?” I said, trying to loosen my arm.

“I’m Lorenzo, how would you like to join me?”

“I’m sorry, but if this is some sick prank Lucas set me up for, it’s not funny.” I replied in a stern voice.

“5 years ago my freedom was sold, a soldier, a weapon, and destruction was all I was known as, I thought being a hero was what I wanted to be. I wanted to make the world a better place, but after seeing how this world is, there’s no saving it. I’ll fix this society, and mold it into a place that will bow to absolute power. Only with absolute power can you have true peace.” he said.

“What are you babbling about? I’m warning you, this is the last time I’m going to ask.” I said.

“Jeremy Skye… you put him in the hospital didn’t you…? You broke both his arms, and legs even after he gave up and surrendered. Jaye’sun talked him down before passing out, he surrendered, gave up his weapon and everything… Yet you… A HERO! You didn’t care about that, you took your own justice, you wanted to make sure he would never hurt them again. You would have killed him if Jaye’sun wasn’t there. Wouldn’t you?” He said grinning.

How… How does he know what happened? Iris was knocked out, and Jaye’sun was unconscious, would that mean he was following me.

“H-how do you know that?” I was lost for words.

“You’re like me Bryce, you understand there’s people who aren’t worth saving, and there are people who will use people for power towards their own end goals. Look, all I’m saying is watch who you surround yourself with. G.O.D. isn’t what you think it is, do you think there’s some perfect utopia that can be created by them?” Lorenzo replied.

“Well, of course not, but still all they’re doing is their job.” I shot back.

“Have you not noticed an increase in villains, Deviants, and crime?” 

“Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?” I questioned.

“You’re just too young to understand… Bryce Anderson, join me, help me fix this corrupt world.”

While he was talking I created a cloud between the 2 of us, pushing him away.

“Look, I’m more than capable of handling things by myself, and I’m not going to let some homeless looking guy tell me what to do.” 

I threw a punch but he caught my arm throwing me into the wall, before following it up with a punch to the gut, and an uppercut before I could hit the ground.

“You’re weak, you’re weak because you hold back, you’re not willing to use your strength, you’re not creative enough with your Deviation.” Lorenzo remarked.

He threw another punch but I created a cloud blocking it. He reacted with a sweep kick, catching me by my hair as I fell forward, and holding my face up towards him.

“You’re boring and lack inspiration, you rely too much on your Deviation, and because of that, you’re too easy to catch off guard. When you fight, you need to train your body, as well as your mind, you need to be okay with taking a hit, and capitalizing on those moments.” 

He let go of my hair causing me to fall, before kneeing me in the face, causing my nose to bleed.

“Get up, go ahead and stand on your feet, if you’re strong.” Lorenzo laughed.

Damnit, was this guy really stronger than me. He didn’t look particularly strong, but yet he was manhandling me, as if I was half his weight. I stood up, trying to analyze the scenario.

“Why… Why are you doing this?” I asked, coughing and trying to catch my breath.

He punched me again, causing me to fall onto my knees.

“Does this feel good to you? To be beat down, and to have to look up at me.” Lorenzo asked.

“I’m not looking up at you… I’m looking at the ground.” I said, grabbing his leg, and lifting it, knocking him off balance. I threw a punch at his face expecting him to dodge, and aiming another punch at his chest. But he stood there taking the hit, seeming unfazed by my attack.

“I’m bored, and I’m hungry… you’re worth more than a meal, how about we call this equal. You’ll understand this world isn’t black and white, just keep my offer in mind, I’m no good, I’m far from it. But what I need are people willing to make sacrifices for a better society, but don’t think too hard about it now, and oh yeah… good luck with your internship." He said before, smoke appeared and disappeared.

“Damn, I got my ass beat didn’t I?” I said getting up, and continuing my way home, but the words he said never left my mind.

POV shifts back to Jaye’sun at his house

Welp tomorrow's the day, we get to step foot into G.O.D. headquarters, and the first day I saw my dad in person in almost a year. There would be times he and my mom would go out, but I haven’t seen him since last christmas.

“I still haven’t gotten used to being alone, it’s been pretty much 2 months since you’ve been gone mom, the police gave up. They said if she hasn’t turned up now, the chances of her being alive are next to none. Ugh I don’t even know why I’m saying this outloud, it’s not like there’s anyone who cares.” I said to myself.

Tomorrow's the start of something new, a staircase of opportunities, and I won’t miss a step!