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Sun peeked through my eyelids, stirring me awake from my slumber. I sat up in my bed and looked out the window at the sunrise. The sky was a beautiful blue, I then checked my phone to see what the time was. It was 9 o’clock!
“I’m gonna be late!” I frantically jumped out of bed and began getting dressed. I decided to wear my white shirt under a purple sweater with black slightly ripped jeans. I quickly made some toast and got my bag ready. I lathered some chocolate paste onto the slice of toast and practically shoved it down my throat.
As I finished my breakfast I checked to make sure I had everything in my bag, I had forgotten one thing. The one thing that no one but my best friend and roommate, Dylan, knows about. My suit, or better known as my hero suit. For I am in fact a superhero with the power to manipulate and create electricity.
This ability was granted to me a few months ago with it being a worldwide phenomenon. Green clouds that contained an agent that unlocked abilities in most of who inhaled the substance. Scientists labeled these people with abilities ‘Inhumans’. Dylan and I had encountered this green cloud and gained abilities of our own. His being the ability to shapeshift into animals from the animal kingdom. It took a while for us to be able to harness and control our powers but we quickly got the hang of it. We still have a bit of trouble with them but not as much as when we had first discovered the abilities.
I placed the purple, black and white coloured suit into a different spot to wear my school supplies as it hides it better. I looked up and saw a note that was left by Dylan.
‘Off to class, hope you have a good day :)’ I chuckled a little at the addition of the smiley face. I then ran out of the dorm and locked it before I ran any further. I dashed down the hallway and into the elevator. I pressed the button for the ground floor. Our room was on the second floor so the time it takes to get to the ground floor isn’t long thankfully.
Ding, the elevator bell went as the doors opened. I hurriedly walked out of the dormitories. I practically ran to the main college building. I directed myself to the classroom I had first up. I opened the door and quietly sat in my regular seat.
“Nice of you to join us Mr Jones,” the teacher said. I cringed as some of the students chuckled at the teacher's comment. The class went along uneventfully thankfully. The bell went for break, everyone stood up from their seats and started exiting the classroom. I stood up from my seat and piled my books back into my bag.
I looked around and saw a red haired girl that I recognised. Her name is Scarlet and not that I’ll admit it to anyone but I have a huge crush on her. My heart fluttered as I saw her. Her beautiful red hair flowed like a river, shiny as the sun. I made my way through the empty classroom and approached her.
“Hey Scarlet,” I greeted with an awkward smile.
“Hey Atlas, how are you?” Scarlet smiled back, I kept the pace as we walked along the halls of the college.
“Pretty tired at the moment but I’m good. What about you?” I asked.
“I’m good. Just been getting work done and finally finished most of my assignments.” She smiled, her smile is always the highlight of my day.
“That’s great! We should do something to celebrate. What about a movie?” I smoothly asked, and she gave it some thought.
“Yeah we should totally see a movie. What about later today?” She accepted, I almost had to ask to repeat what she had said. I can’t believe that she said yes!
“That sounds good, can’t wait.” I smiled, we went our separate ways and I was internally freaking out from the fact that I'm going to the movies with Scarlet. I suddenly felt a buzz from my phone. I looked at the screen and it was a text from Dylan saying that I needed to get some more groceries.
With my lessons being done for the day I walked over to the nearby grocery store. As I was making my way to the store I saw some commotion in a jewelry store, there were some hooded figures waving guns around with the customers inside looking distressed. I quickly backed away and ran into an alleyway. Once I made sure that no one would see me I changed into my suit and placed my bag somewhere that was hidden.
I opened the door to the jewellery store and stayed low trying to not be seen. I turned the lights off with a zap of electricity. I then quietly stood behind the group of thugs.
“Isn’t it time for your nap guys?” I quipped, the thugs turned around. I could feel a surge of energy throughout my body as I focused and generated electricity in my hands. I used them as tasers and knocked out the criminals. Some of them quickly stood back and raised their guns. I sent out a surge of energy through the ground targeting the thugs and knocked the rest out.
“It’s alright everyone, it’s safe.” I shouted as I turned the lights back on, reassuring the customers and the employees.
“Did anyone call the police?” I asked.
“Yes, they should be here soon.” The manager replied, I nodded.
“Good, anyone got some rope, paper and a pen?” One of the workers grabbed the things I asked for and I quickly wrapped the thugs together so that if they woke up they couldn't go anywhere. I also quickly wrote a note saying ‘Caught these guys for ya :) ~ Courtesy of Voltage’ I then placed the sticky note onto one of the thugs forehead. I ran out the building and grabbed my bag from the alley.
Once I got back to the dorm room with the groceries packed away, I collapsed onto my bed and let out an exhausted groan. I smiled slightly at the thought that I saved some people today. I checked the time and saw that I still had 3 hours until I had to meet up with Scarlet. I decided to work on some of my homework before Dylan got back. Being a superhero and a college student wasn’t easy. Most days I would be up until early in the morning on patrol with Dylan and get only a few hours of sleep. This also affected my grades, it is hard to focus during class and concentrate. I knew it would be a bit hard to juggle both lives but I didn’t imagine it would be this hard. Plus I can’t tell anyone about my powers, not even my parents. When I had only just discovered I had powers my parents called to see if I was okay, I had to lie to them. They can’t know because they could get hurt because of me. Because of people who want to hurt me by threatening the people I love.
I got through most of my homework before Dylan burst through the door. Dylan has been my best friend since Middle school. We’ve been through thick and thin together, even more so with us being superheroes now. Dylan and I decided to play some video games to pass the time once we were finished with our homework.
The hours went by in a flash. I changed my shirt and sweater to a black t-shirt with a video game character on it accompanied by an unbuttoned purple flannel shirt. I could feel the anxiety rise in my chest.
“You good Atlas?” Dylan asked as I stood in front of the mirror. He could tell I was worried about the date.
“Just a little nervous,” I replied with an awkward smile.
“Just remember to be yourself and you’ll be alright.” Dylan reassured me, I chuckled a little. I looked over at my bag where my suit mask was poking out a bit. I didn’t need any powers to impress her. I just need to be myself.
I arrived at the meet up spot that Scarlet and I had arranged, we decided to grab some dinner before the movie. I was still nervous. So I focused on things that helped calm me down when my powers would be out of control. That helped a little.
“You alright?” Scarlet asked, I nodded reassuringly, telling her that I was fine.
Once we finished our dinner we walked along the path to the cinema. The sun was setting, painting the sky with warm pink and blues. Scarlet gave a warm smile as she noticed I was admiring her. I gave her a warm smile back. The hustle and bustle of the cinema was evident as we saw a couple rows of people lined up at the cashier.
The cinema was significantly cooler than the outside temperature, it sent a cold shiver down my spine. Maybe I should’ve brought a jacket. After a while of patiently waiting we finally got to the cashier and bought our tickets and snacks. We made a pit stop at the restrooms, I splashed water on my face to help calm my nerves. I walked out of the restroom feeling refreshed and less nervous.
Scarlet and I made our way to the screening room that was going to play the movie we wanted to see. We sat in our designated seats and chatted while we waited for the movie to start. Our conversation started with just talking about college and then drifted over to who our favourite heroes are. After a while the movie started, the lights diminished and we were left in darkness so the audience could be more immersed in the movie watching experience. 30 minutes into the movie I got a message from Dylan.
‘Commotion happening outside the cinema, need backup!’ I stood up once I read the message. Dylan needed my help, I couldn’t turn him down. But I left my suit at the dorms, so I would need to stay out of sight if I wanted to help.
“Hey is everything alright?” Scarlet asked. I looked down at her, my lips curling upwards.
“Yeah everything’s fine, just going to the restrooms.” I explained, she nodded in agreement and I raced out of the screening room. I quickly made my way to where I could hear fighting outside the cinema. Dylan was in his bear form fighting back against the criminals. I focused and used my powers to turn the lights off in the main area. Thankfully no-one was around to notice. I made my way closer to where the fight was and sent a wave of electricity at them to knock them out. I made sure no-one could see me to make sure my secret identity was safe.
Once they were all out cold I turned the lights back on and walked outside.
“Took you long enough.” Dylan stated he was in his regular, human form now.
“Yeah well I left my suit at the dorms so I had to play it safe,” I protested.
“What? Why!” He questioned, I let out a sigh.
“Because I wanted to just have one normal thing happen in my life. But no, I have to always have to suit up. I have a life you know!” I argued. Dylan’s expression was understanding but still a bit confused.
“I know how you feel sometimes, but we also have the sick powers we have to use them for good. Anyway I should be heading out.” He started to walk away with a cheeky grin, “Enjoy the movie Lover Boy.” I rolled my eyes as I chuckled a little. I walked back into the cinema and the screening room that Scarlet was in. We enjoyed the movie to it’s completion and I walked Scarlet back to her dorm.
“Goodnight Atlas, I had a nice time tonight.” Scarlet smiled as she gave me a kiss on the cheek. My heart fluttered in my chest, maybe tonight wasn’t so bad after all.
“Goodnight Scarlet,” I smiled back as she closed the door behind her.
Well, being a college superhero isn’t that bad.