DEREK

My dark sweatshirt tugged over my crisp white tee, and I reached for my phone on the dresser. Son of a bitch. I sighed, stuffing my phone in my hoodie pocket, and grabbed my headphones from the dresser. The battery was at 5% capacity, and I didn't have time for this, but it was what it was. I would charge it at work.

"Dad, I'm going out," I yelled from the bedroom, glancing at my half-assed bed.

My dad yelled back, "Okay," A wall thud and a curse from Sam in the opposite room startled me.

"Geez. You good, Sam?" I asked.

Sam groaned back, "Yep."

I looked at the time on my phone. Then, as I flipped off the bedroom light, a bright flurry of blue and purple electricity zapped the light switch from the palm of my hand, and the lights flickered out. I stared at the wall for a moment, amused. Damn, superpowers were incredible, besides the minor surprises on rare occasions that came with having them-sort of like this moment. My phone beeped, and the battery bounced to one hundred percent faster than a blink of an eye.

Walking onto the open second story, I leaned over the upper railing, staring down. Grace wailed in the darkened room below, the sunlight barely pushing through the dull windows. I walked over to the stairwell.

"What the fuck, Grace," I grumbled. Then I hurried down the steps. My father peered through the open doorway of the living room.

"Was that you, Derek?" Grace looked out the open doorway to the living room, too. My father flickered the light switch, but nothing happened. I now understood my brother and why his powers frustrated him.

"I'll call an electrician," my dad sighed. I stuffed one of my earbuds and pulled open the front door. Bright purple lights flashed back from my palm as my hand curled against the metallic knob while the lights sparked and flickered.

"I have to get to work," I said, hurrying to the driveway. All eyes were on me as they rushed to the front patio doorway.

"Wait a minute, Derek," Sam called. "Was that you?" He paused, hesitating, his eyes meeting mine with concern.

"Yeah, I think so," I replied. I knew where this was going. A break from work may be necessary. I was a workaholic, just like my dad. But it seemed like a good thing, especially as a cop.

"You're calling in sick," my dad ordered. I looked at him, challenging his order with an intense gaze. My dad's eyes leveled with mine.

"I don't want to complain, but--" I paused with pursed lips as my father stopped me.

"I'm serious, Derek!"

Grace snorted in the background, chuckling with a grin. "It looks like Lover-boy has a new superpower." She wiggled her eyebrows at me. I stared back at her with a half-smile.

"Basement, now!" Sam demanded, gesturing to the open doorway leading to the lowest point of our house beside the staircase.

"Yep," I said, walking towards the stairs. I knew the drill mostly because I was almost always there when Sam did the same for James. I wandered to the stairs, Sam and my concerned father following behind.

"I'll call Henry and let him know you're sick." My dad said. He patted the staircase ceiling. "This house really could use some work," He added. Then, we put my new abilities to the test.

∆∆∆

Sam bounced back and forth on his feet as he worked on his computer. He strapped me to a couple of wireless weights and a headband he synced to the computer, and suddenly he looked my way with astonishment. Samual attached a single rounded lightbulb to a computerized machine in the middle of the room.

"Alrighty," Sam clapped his hands together. "Focus on the lightbulb and try to get it to light up," He demanded.

"Are you sure this will work?" I asked Sam. Sam nodded behind his computer screen and pointed at the lightbulb.

I slammed my eyes shut, focusing all my energy on the machine. I pictured a fury of lightning striking the lightbulb in front of me, and suddenly purple lightning engulfed my hands, trickling down my forearm like flames. Son of a bitch! Superpowers are fucking outstanding! I threw my fingertips forward like Spiderman spins webs as electricity struck the lightbulb, and the lights in the house flickered in the darkness like a rave.

"Atta boy, Derek," Sam exclaimed as he stood up.

My dad shifted against the wall, uncomfortable. "I have to get to work."

"You took my shift?" I asked him.

The lights flickered to still darkness, and Grace screamed again. "Fuck you, Derek. I'm trying to make cookies." Trying was the keyword. Grace couldn't bake for shit, even if her life depended on it. At least it was nothing close to Sam's baking. At least the bitch could cook, and sadly, I admit her cooking topped her father's cooking. So, when she said trying, she meant it. I'm glad I shut the power off.

Sam moved away from his computer, rolling his eyes. "I'm going to help her," he said. "You can take off all of that equipment."

I yanked the headband from my forehead and set it to the side. "I'll go pick up James and Noah from school," I mumbled.

"Good idea." My father nodded my way and walked up the steps, stopping at the top. "And tell them I want them to help clean up here."

"Got it," I replied. Pulling the keys from my hoodie pocket, I walked behind him.

∆∆∆

Bright purple lightning trickled down my forearm, smashing into a couple of old plastic bottles on the back porch.

"Bloody hell," Noah stared at the melted plastic dripping down the side of the rustic wood railing leading to a staircase and into the deep, untamed lawn. The wood sparked, and flames burst from the chipped paint. Bryce was off to the rescue, defusing the fire with a wrist flick.

James stared at the burning ash floating into the moonlit air and sat on the outdoor couch in the corner as mosquitos danced in the sky.

"That's new," he said in surprise. A grin slowly flourished on his lips. No kidding. I was shocked as well. I still had panic attacks for a few days.

"You do have fucking superpowers. Who knew," Noah shrugged. What a dick.

"You're such a jerk, Noah," Bryce said with an eye roll, practically reading my mind.

Noah's grin widened. "But I know you love me." He winked at Bryce with an arrogant grin.

"So, what are you and Dad doing about work?" James asked me, dusting his fingers against the dirty sofa arm, and grimaced.

"I don't know. I guess, for now, I'll take time off, and Dad will take my place," I answered him with a shrug.

"But Dad's still not used to his superpowers either," he countered. I knew that. Our dad was stubborn. Even if his life depended on it, he wouldn't stop being a cop. I was the same way most days, but learning to control superpowers was a new feat, and I would not put others in danger so that I could play the hero.

"I know," I shrugged again. "But Dad has way more control over his powers than I do."

"Baby steps," Bryce put in. "You did a good job saving those kids at the apartments."

"So, that was you?" I asked. Of course, it was Bryce.

"Don't look at me. I'm not the bad guy, and I would do nothing like that, especially since my father is a firefighter. Dex and Thomas would kick my ass."

"Oh, right," I realized. "How is Dexter, by the way?" Bryce sighed, settling his palm into the hot, burnt wood and plastic as if it wasn't still smoking and scorching to the touch.

"My dad is okay. Don't tell Sam, but it's quieter here, especially when Sebastian isn't around."

My eyebrows pulled together. "Who's Sebastian?"

"Sebastian is my dick, cousin." He furrowed his lips, sucking air through his teeth.

"No shit. Seba's a bloody prick," Noah added. James said nothing, but I knew what he was thinking.

"Are you guys trying out for football? The other cops won't stop talking about how their kids made the team or how they're trying out this year. Sam, Dad, and I think it would be good for you." I looked at James, sitting silently with his hoodie over his head.

"Sam told me otherwise," Noah argued.

"Maybe he changed his mind."

"I don't want people to outcast me again, especially if Mark shows up," James muttered. James was scared. I understood him, especially since I was once that timid kid.

"I'll make a deal with you," I countered James. "You try out for football, and I'll do your chores for a week. It's just like when we were kids. Remember?" James nodded, snuggling into the dirty cushions.

"What if I like my chores?" He asked, finally lifting his eyes to meet mine.

"What if you like football?" I was opposed.

"Yeah," Noah agreed. "I can't be quarterback without the linebacker."

Bryce chuckled. "You wish." Noah shoved Bryce into the charcoal banister. "What? It's true. Sebastian will kick your ass."

"He wishes," Noah growled back with a chuckle.

"I'm serious," Bryce said.

Suddenly, Sam wandered onto the back porch. "You probably should head home before Dexter starts a search party," Sam grimaced at Bryce, standing in the doorways.

"Yeah, I know," Bryce said. He looked at Noah, who shrugged.

"Are you trying out tomorrow too?" Noah asked him as he wandered to the doorway.

"Maybe," Bryce answered his brother. "I'll catch you later, Derek," he said, nodding at me. Then Bryce patted James' shoulder. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, James," he said.

"Yep," James answered him. Bryce stopped in front of Sam, their eyes meeting for a moment.

"Good night, Dad," Bryce said.

"Good night, bud," Sam replied with a smile. Bryce searched the expansive backyard before he walked inside the house.

"I'm going to head to bed before Dad gets off his shift," I nodded. "Good night," I nodded at Sam, sliding past him into the foyer, catching Bryce's attention before he slipped out the door, and I walked into the living room as Grace wandered in.

"Are you even going to tell me good night?" She asked, getting cozy at the end of the couch by my feet.

"Nope," I grimaced, hiding my face in the cushions beside me.

"Well, if you won't, I will. Good night, Derek," she said, rubbing my toes.

"Stop it," I growled, hiding a grin. Then Grace yanked her hands away from my feet.

"I'm sorry," she said. But I acted as if I didn't hear her for my amusement.

"What?"

"I'm sorry," she said louder. My smile grew on my lips. She swiped my toes one more time. "Remember to sleep with one eye open." She chuckled and fell into my legs before leaving the couch. I may not have liked her at first, but she seemed to grow on me, and I wished they weren't related to us because arguing with her was my guilty pleasure and gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

I silently shut my eyes before someone blew hot air on my face. On instinct, I grumbled, "Good night, Grace," and the blowing stopped.

"Good night, lover boy," she said, giggling. Boy, did we have a lot to go through? It was just the beginning of our extraordinary and twisted friendship. Things were about to get crazy fast.