James Knight: Teenage Superhuman - B2

Twenty-One

BRYCE

I dropped onto the couch beside Noah with two slices of pizza and a Coke.

"Where's James?" I asked.

"Out with Claire," Noah said, chewing with a grin. "He said he'll be back later. Reckon he's having a bloody good time."

I raised an eyebrow. "Right... and what about you and Mark? You actually like him, or just mucking about?"

Before he could answer, Shawn, Madison, Easton, and Dylan wandered in, grabbing plates and sodas.

"Breakfast of champions," Easton said as they piled onto the L-shaped couch.

"Hell yeah," Shawn added, clinking his can with Easton's.

Easton turned to Noah. "So... you're really from Australia, or is that accent fake?"

Noah smirked, sipping his soda. "Mate, it's as real as it gets. You've got a lot to learn."

Madison shot Sam a thumbs-up—he'd just come down the stairs—and dove into her pizza. "You're such an ass," she mumbled around a mouthful.

Noah frowned. "Oi, what did I do?"

"Nothing," Dylan said flatly.

Noah sighed. "Wuff."

Sam tugged at his hoodie sleeves, stopping in the archway. "I'm heading out. Bryce is in charge. If anything happens, text me."

Noah's grin widened. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Sam fixed him with a look. "Your mom. Don't do anything stupid." His eyes flicked to me. "Got it?" He nodded and left.

The door shut.

Noah leaned back into the couch, grinning. "Well then, now that we're unsupervised..."

"No," I said firmly.

He laughed. "Relax, mate."

We all took a bite of pizza.

Dylan cleared his throat. "Truth or dare?"

Madison groaned. "We're not twelve."

"I'm with her," I said.

Noah, of course, leaned forward eagerly. "I'm in. Dare."

Madison rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot."

"Hit me," Noah said.

She smirked. "I dare you to show us your powers. If you even have them. That video looked so fake."

I tensed.

Noah rubbed his palms together, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh... what video???"

Madison held up her phone, the screen grainy and shaky. The video showed the fight in Arizona: James and Max trading blows, Sam clashing with Grace, and Noah hovering in the background, lightning crackling faintly around his hands. I had only seen clips of it because, honestly, it was all anyone at school could talk about.

Noah froze, his brows knitting as he stared at an imaginary clock on the wall. His lips pursed, his fingers tapping absentmindedly against the couch arm like he was weighing some monumental decision. Then, with a sigh that was half-exasperation, half-defeat, he finally spilled the truth.

"We've got powers, alright!"

At that exact moment, a tiny flicker of electricity danced across his fingertips. It was small, precise, controlled—but bright enough that the glow reflected in everyone's wide eyes.

Phones lowered. Hands paused mid-grip. The room went almost unnaturally silent, everyone frozen in disbelief.

"There ya go," Noah said with a triumphant wink, the Australian drawl thick and teasing. "Magic, innit?"