by Dexx Peay
“NYU, pretty cool, right?”
“And your major?”
“Chemical engineering. NYU offers a dual-degree program in computer science and engineering. I’ll take classes at NYU for the first three years then transfer to Stevens Institute for Technology and finish out my last two years in the engineering program. When I graduate I’ll have a degree in computer science and chemical engineering.”
“Dylan Perry, always going where most people dare not go,” Marcus yelled from the back room.
“Sounds like a solid plan you got there, Dylan. Wish you the best, son,” Mr. Peterson interjected back into the conversation.
“Thanks, sir,” I said and excused myself. I headed down the hall into Marcus’ messy room blanketed in a mix of dirty and clean clothes, along with random clutter lying haphazardly around the room.
“You need to clean your room, Marc,” I said.
“Sorry. I do share a room with my brother. It gets kinda messy in here sometimes.”
“Messy? Marc I can’t even see where I’m walking right now. I’m scared to sit down in here.”
“Just throw all that stuff over there on Elias’s bed and take a seat on the floor.”
“Bro! No. When was the last time you vacuumed?”
“Dang, Dylan now you're just being overdramatic,” he laughed.
“Whatever, man.” I stood. “Still picking Math as you major?”
“Oh yeah that reminds me, forgot to tell you I changed it to Pre-Med. Think I want to maybe be a doctor and save some lives one day. Just not sure which kind.”
“That’s a noble profession, Marc.”
“I want to give people a chance at life when an obstacle threatens to take it away, you know, sort of how Kathryn and Ryan gave me life when others wouldn’t.”
Marcus stood and paced through all the mess on the floor. He did this when he thought too much about the fact that he was adopted.
“Marc, can I tell you something? As a friend?” He faced me. “We all know the story: your parents dropped you off, you were adopted, but somehow you still feel abandoned. You have to stop dwelling on that and just accept the fact that you have a family. And sure it’s not the family with the most financial stability but it’s a family who loves you and wants nothing but the best for you. Stop letting adoption define you and just grow from it.” I’d been holding that in for years.
I thought after my big spiel, Marcus would have a response, some type of rebuttal, but he gazed out the window into the darkness.
“Marc, did you hear what I just said?” He stood silent.
“Marc…” I whispered.
A chill ran down my spine and up again. He had the same look on his face from the day in the pool when the water bubbled. I took a cautions step towards him and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Were my eyes playing tricks on me again? They haven’t been the most reliable part of my body these past couple of weeks. They had to be playing tricks on me. I almost wished I was seeing things again, but I wasn’t. A flame had ignited at his fingertips and blazed up his wrist.
I couldn’t breathe but what managed to escape from my last breath was, “No way…”
The color drained from his face, his skin pale in the light of the fire. Heart thumping painfully, I took another step closer as the flames continued to grow. Eerie wasn’t the word. The flames grew all the way up his forearm, turning his sleeves to ashes. To top it off, his eyes were reddish-orange. I watched my best friend’s hands and eyes catch on fire. A strange feeling possessed me, forced me to grab him by the wrist. Steam quickly filled the space between us. I must have somehow extinguished the flames because they were gone and so were the fiery eyes.
Fire and Ice, I thought, still holding onto his wrist, admiring the warm clouds of moisture around us.
“What are you doing?” Marcus squealed, snatching his arm away from me.
“You were on fire that’s what just happened.”
“Explain how you put it —” He slowly covered his mouth with his hand, staring at me, examining my face. I’d seen that look before. I’ve been examined.
He gasped, “How did your eyes get blue?”
“Is everything OK in there?” Mrs. Peterson said, banging on the door.
“Yes, Mom we’re OK. No need to come in,” Marcus panicked.
“How long have you been setting things on fire?”
He paused for a moment. “About two months,” Marcus said, pouting and plopped on his bed.
“Wait! The pool. It was you heating it up. I knew it.”
Mystery solved.
His eyes rushed to the door. “Shhh! Keep it down. It all started when I noticed the temperature would increase around me and sometimes things would catch on fire, but never my hands. I freaked out ‘cause for the most part I wouldn’t remember anything. That’s why I didn’t tell anyone. What about you?”
“For the past few weeks my eyes would turn blue at random, but prom night I froze—”
“What did you freeze?”
“A cup of water I was drinking—and then just now.”
“So what do we do with all this?” he asked disgustedly like we just contracted a deadly disease.
I grabbed my belongings and waltzed to the door with the biggest smile on my face.
“Where are you going?” Marcus asked.
“You can stay here but I'm going to find the Professor and join the X-Men.”
“What? Dylan, this is no time for games.”
“Yeah. You’re right — The Fantastic Four could be a better fit for us, but they already have the human torch so you may be out of a job.”
“Dylan, for real! Let’s be serious about this.”
“Awe, man this is the coolest thing to ever happen to me.”
“Why us though?”
“Whoooo caressss…” I said, spinning in circles around the room.
“Wait, can you be serious just for a split second. If we both have these…”
“Superpowers.”
“Right, these superpowers, then there has to be others out there with different abilities, too right?”
“Well that makes sense, but how will we find them?”
“What if they don’t want to be found? Dylan, I don’t think we can share this with anyone.”
It was amazing! What teenage boy doesn’t wish that he and his best friend wake up one day with superpowers? Amazing as it was, I had to agree with him. I’d seen too many movies where people with superhuman abilities were hunted down or experimented on by government agencies.
“I agree. I don’t think we can tell anyone, not even our parents. How do you think we even got these powers? I don’t remember falling into any kind of toxic waste or being an alien from a distance planet,” I said.
“Let’s just go on with our normal everyday lives and try to not use these powers OK,” Marcus urged.
“Try not to use these powers? What if someone said you couldn’t run track because you were naturally fast? It’s not everyday people wake up and realize they’re different than the average human. We can be heroes, Marc! Just a minute ago you were saying how you wanted to give people second chances at life. Here it is, this is your chance.”
“Relax. After graduation we’ll figure this whole thing out.”
“I'm so looking forward to graduation.”
Chapter 9
Graduation
The tone at school with all the seniors was pretty serious due to finals. No one stopped in the halls to catch up on gossip or joke around. I don’t even think people pulled their cellphones from their bags. During lunch, most of the class commented on how much fun Trey’s party was. There was even a rumor that Jessica was making out with somebody in the bathroom.
I normally don’t help spread rumors but if it got her off my case, I would tell a few people what I heard. I never made it to the party. Discovering you have the ability to freeze objects without using a freezer trumps a party any day.
On Tuesday Trey finally
gave in and started speaking to Marcus. They talked about what happened at the first pool party and of course Marcus lied. By Wednesday the crew was back together.
The week wrapped up on Friday with graduation rehearsal.
Saturday was graduation day.
It’s so ironic.
When we’re younger, we look forward to riding our first bike or opening a room full of gifts on our birthday. In our teenage years we look forward to dating, driving, and our first kiss. But as a senior in high school, the countdown to graduation starts that first day of class. Today that countdown has finally ended. I’ve been excited all year but after my discovery last week, I was dying for this day to come.
When I woke up my room had been completely taken over by blue and white balloons, the school colors, hanging from the ceiling and across the floor. I found three cards on the dresser from Mom, Dad, and Dalton. I opened Mom’s first. A hundred-dollar bill fell out. I looked to the left and read her words:
Dylan,
You always strive for excellence so never stop challenging yourself. I am very proud of the young man you have become. Do great things in New York City. Do great things in life. Be great.
A tear formed and I ran my knuckle in the corner. I read Dad’s card next:
Sorry no money or gift cards, I bought you a car already. Congrats son.
Dad’s card didn’t surprise me. At least it helped put a smile on my face. Dalton’s card was next. It was homemade. On the outside he drew a picture of the world. On top of that he had a stick figure wearing a cape:
You are my HERO Dylan!
That was all he wrote.
Right then, a tear fell.
It rolled down my face and froze before I could push it off. I felt more forming up in my eyes, so I put the cards up before the waterworks came. My parents told me the night before they would be gone with Dalton all day and would meet me at school for graduation. Outside the sky was grayish-blue and trickles of rain tapped lightly on the roof. Forehead glued to the window I mumbled, “Not today, rain.”
I’d planned on spending the day with Marcus and his family since mine were gone. I packed my bag with some clothes and my cap and gown.
I walked right in once I got there.
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson,” I said, brushing my feet against the welcome mat then removing my shoes at the door.
“Wassup, Dylan,” Elias nodded, his eyes fixated on the TV while Katie sat on his laps; his parents were on the couch looking uninterested at the cartoons playing.
“Well, someone is in a great mood today,” said Mrs. Peterson, sounding like she could sense my joyous emotions.
“Come in. Take a seat,” Mr. Peterson said.
I took one look at the couch and offered to stand.
“Where’s Marcus?” I asked Katie in a squeaky voice who was now running around the small living room, clapping wildly. She pointed to the back room.
“He’s in the shower,” Mrs. Peterson replied for Katie.
“How does your room look, Elias?” I grinned.
He snorted. “Mom made me and Marcus clean it. Said she was afraid stray animals were in there.” He stood and stretched his arms, an amusing smile on his face. “I mean, it would’ve been cool to see, but, we cleaned it anyway.”
“Thank you,” I whispered to myself. “Hope it stays that way while Marcus and I are off to college.”
“How does it feel now that you’re done with high school?” Mr. Peterson asked.
I wasn’t sure if I was tired of people asking me that or just irritated at the question. Seriously, how do people think I feel knowing that I’m moving out of my parent’s house and not having to put up with the drama of high school?
“It feels good, but it will feel even better when I walk across the stage with a diploma in my hands.”
“I remember my high school graduation—”
“Ryan, please don’t bore him with your old stories,” said Mrs. Peterson in slight embarrassment.
“How do you know he doesn’t want to hear my stories, Kathryn?”
“Have you guys heard Marc’s speech for graduation?” I chimed in before an argument began.
Mr. Peterson sat straight. “No. He said no one can hear it until graduation.”
Marcus was our Salutatorian and had to give a speech after the Valedictorian. Our senior class had 255 students graduating and I was number twelve. I missed the top ten by point seven points on my overall average, making me miss out on another picture in the yearbook. We were all looking forward to hearing his speech. Although Marcus had very little experience speaking in front of large crowds, he said he wasn’t nervous.
“You want something to drink, Dylan?” asked Marcus as he entered the room with the rest of us.
“Juice.”
He handed me a cup and gestured me to follow him to his room. He closed the door and locked it. “Wow, your brother wasn’t lying, this room is clean.”
“Yeah, Mom sort of made us clean. It even smells good too.”
“Smells better than usual.” I walked around then room then spun around to face him. “So, can I get a sample of your grad speech?”
“Nice try but I'm not letting anyone hear it until it’s time.”
“So —” My mouth got tight until my lips perched open into a giddy smile. “—have you used your powers any this week?”
“Quiet, my parents might hear you,” he whispered and gripped my arm, drug me into the corner of the room, and covered my mouth. I smacked his hand off me and smiled.
“Sorry, geesh, calm down.”
“My bad. No I haven’t. Have you?”
“No, I’ve been pretty chill. Get it, chill?” I laughed harshly and stopped when I realized he wasn’t laughing. He stood there with a blank face. “Man, you’re a real party pooper. You need to lighten up, dude, it’s freaking graduation day.”
He turned and looked at the window, the rain steadily pouring outside. “Think you could turn the rain into snow?” he inquired, a smile now forming.
“Better! I can turn it into hail,” I replied.
He folded his arms across his chest. “Go for it.”
We walked over to the window. I placed my hands on the glass and told myself to relax. All sound in the room died except the throbbing beat of my heart. I controlled my breathing to keep a smooth regular pattern. Marcus stood next to me shifting his calm eyes between the window and me. I closed my eyes, exhaled, and then gradually opened them.
“Blue eyes, good sign,” said Marcus. “Just relax. Whatever you imagine, you can do it. You control your powers.”
“I control my powers.” The words rolled off my tongue between each slow and deep breath.
“Whoa. Have your eyes ever glowed?”
Not wanting to break concentration, I didn’t reply.
“Come on, Dylan, you got this,” Marcus whispered. “Come on.”
His raspy voice was soothing to my jittering nerves. In seconds, a thin glaze of ice covered the window.
I grunted as a sharp pain attacked my temples. I stumbled away from the window.
“You OK?” Marcus asked. He put one hand on the window. It defrosted instantly.
“Yeah, just need to relax a little,” I said as I took a seat.
“What was that?” Marcus flinched, his body seized in horror.
“What was what?” I said with my hands on my temples like that would somehow ease the pain.
His words shuddered as he spoke. “You didn’t see that computer mouse slide across the desk?”
I shook my head and rested on his pillow. After a long pause, completely ignoring the fact that he thought his room was haunted, I asked, “Did you say my eyes glowed?”
“Yeah. Wasn’t like a flashlight or anything, but it was breathtaking. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Well duh, have you seen anything like what we’re doing?”
“I guess you’re right.”
“OK, Marcus, show me something,” I
said, my voice barely above a whisper to be sure not to aggravate my migraine.
“No time. We need to get ready.”
“You played me, loser.”
“Wait, let me check your eyes before we walk out.” He gripped my cheeks in his palm and stretched my face. He cleared me.
As we walked into the living room I heard a ring come from my bag.
It was a text from Diana: Looks like we have ourselves a rainy day.
Marcus’ parents ordered pizza for lunch. I was on all fours, crawling around the house with Katie on my back giggling, while Marcus locked himself in the bathroom to rehearse his speech. He wouldn’t even come out for food.
Once Marcus and I finished, we headed up to the school to prep for graduation. We walked inside. The senior class stood around with their blue cap and gowns, trying to grasp the reality we were living in that moment. It all became too real. Cliques were huddled up crying and laughing like they would never see each other again. All of our teachers stood with anxious smiles ready for summer vacation to start.
“This is it, guys, we’re out of here after today,” Trey said, walking up to Marcus and I.
Trey was moving to Alabama since he received a full athletic scholarship to play football. He was leaving in July to attend camps with his new team. Talk about an adventure and culture shock from New York.
“If it isn’t my favorite men of our senior class,” Diana said as she jumped on my back. “You and I have a date tonight, Dylan.”
“What are you talking about, Diana?” I reached back and cuffed my arms under her legs.
“You told me we could talk on a rainy day. Did you notice the weather today? It’s raining,” she smirked.
“Looks like you have yourself a date tonight, Dylan,” Marcus said jokingly.
“You’re next, Marcus,” she said.
Marcus turned his back to her as Trey and I laughed. As flirty and out there as Diana was, she was one of the coolest chicks I’d ever met.
“Looks like me and you will find some trouble to get into tonight on our own,” Trey said to Marcus.