KAILAH’s POV
The treehouse ladder creaked under my weight, each rung slick with recent rain. My clothes clung to me, soaked through. Above, a distant boom of thunder echoed as I dropped my school bag with a thud. A perfect storm – literally and figuratively. Half a day cancelled, courtesy of the weather.
Lately, I’d been… unsettled. Today felt like the chance to finally understand it, to test the edges of something I’d been sensing for weeks.
It started in digital writing class. A kid across the table, deliberately irritating me. He’d make little comments, just loud enough to be heard, while I tried to focus. I kept my hand firmly on the mousepad, forcing myself to ignore him. But the frustration built, simmering into anger. It felt like a breaking point.
Then, a shock. Not from the kid, but from my computer. A jolt that made me pull my hand back reflexively. A current of blue energy flowed from my veins, up my arm, into the device.
The kid in front of me convulsed. Electrocuted. It wasn't that he was getting shocked, it was that *I* wasn't. I was confused, terrified. I tried to disconnect the power, but every attempt to stop it only seemed to worsen the current. Then, just as suddenly, it stopped. The blue faded.
Afterward, I realized it wasn’t just the shock. It was the *focus*. The desperation to make it stop. That’s what had broken the circuit. I could throw energy, fling it, make it float. Sometimes, when I’m bored, I’ll let a tiny bolt flicker between my fingertips. I’ve never really tested it, but today feels… right.
I walked out onto the treehouse balcony, dangling my feet over the edge. I aimed a stream of lightning at the bushes below. Leaves turned to ash, smoke swirling in the damp air. I spun the current between my fingers, a glowing blue sphere, bright and warm.
“What the fuck?”
I jumped, whirling around. Billie stood there, eyes wide. I moved towards her, and she instinctively backed up inside the treehouse. Fireworks were poking out of her backpack.
“Kai, what the *hell* was that?” Billie asked, her voice shaky.
I stuttered, scrambling for words. How do you explain something like this? I’d never told anyone.
“Please say you’re pranking me.” She looked genuinely scared. I’d never seen Billie scared before.
“I’m not. Just listen. I’m not dangerous.”
“So that thing… is *you*?”
I explained the lightning, the shock, the energy. I sat against the cold wood of the treehouse, and Billie settled into a red beanbag, processing what I’d told her. She was hurt that I hadn't told her sooner, especially as her best friend, but she understood.
“You brought fireworks?” I asked, glancing at her backpack.
“You said you always wanted to set them off in the rain. I had a whole box of this shit in my attic.”
“I love you, dude.” I slung her bag over my shoulder and started down the ladder.
BILLIE’s POV
I didn’t say it back. Not even sarcastically. It wasn’t a casual, friendly affection lately. It felt… different. I watched Kailah happily walk toward my car. So my best friend has superpowers. It’s hard to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes.
We drove to an open field and started setting off the fireworks. An idea struck me, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Bro, can we do a bunch all at once?” I asked.
“Fuck no. You’re asking to get killed.”
Kai waved her sparkler through the air. The rain quickly extinguished it.
“This sucks. Shit isn’t even working. And my shirt is soaked. I picked the wrong day to wear white.” She pouted.
I chuckled, starting to unzip my oversized red sweater.
“Here.” I offered it to her, letting her slip her arms inside.
“Such a gentleman.” Kai teased.
“Now can I light them all at once?” I asked, grinning.
“Nope.” She turned around, twisting her hair into a bun.
I took my chance. As Kai turned, I’d already lit all the fuses and ran toward her.
She turned around when she heard the sparking sound, her eyes widening in shock.
“Billie!” She yelled. I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her, running away from the fireworks.
The hoodie slipped over her head as I set her down, brushing against her face. They went off. She clung to me for a moment, startled by the loud popping.
“You’re an idiot.” She said, a smile cracking through her serious glare.
“I just saved your head from blowing up. I’m your fucking hero.” I pulled her arm, inviting her to lie down with me in the grass. She rolled her eyes and settled beside me.
“Plus, you can’t be mad. They’re so pretty. Just look.” I smiled to myself.
After the smoke cleared, I set up the next batch. The rain had eased, and Kailah insisted I pose by a deserted parking lot. She had an eye for composition; it was a good shot. We went back to the fireworks, but there was no lighter fluid left. Kai headed to the car for another.
KAI’s POV
I walked back to the field and saw two figures. Billie and a hooded person. A gun. Fame really does suck, huh? I didn't make eye contact with them. I let them think they were hidden. They were clearly heading for Billie.
I walked slowly, making sure not to tip them off. “You’re slow, you know that?” she teased.
I realized she noticed my odd behavior. I didn’t laugh or make a sarcastic retort. I was getting too close. The person stood up, revealing themselves. They fired. It missed. Billie quickly stood up, confusion and worry swirling in her eyes.
“Billie, run!” I yelled.
She hesitated, looking hopeless. She was in an open field, an easy target.
As she started to move, I felt my energy tremble through my veins. I looked down and saw veins popping out in my hand, colored purple with a faint glow. I was angry. I threw a surge of current at the batch of fireworks she’d just set up. They burst into flames, creating a thick cloud of smoke. I saw the shooter raise a hand to shield their face. That’s when I bolted to the car.
Billie jumped into the passenger seat, and we drove. I didn’t know where I drove us, but it was good enough.