The Blue Bird

Chapter Ten: The Beginning of His Journey

And maybe, just maybe, this was only the beginning of his journey.

Jay had returned to college, but everything felt different now. He could sense a shift in the way people treated him. The most popular students, the ones who had never even glanced in his direction before, were now noticing him. They invited him to every party, every social event, and at first, Jay tried to resist. He was used to saying “no”—it had become a reflex. But now, something inside him had changed. The confidence that had taken root in him after becoming an Azure seemed to strip away his old hesitation. Suddenly, “no” wasn’t part of his vocabulary anymore. It was always, “Sure, why not?” or “Of course, I’ll be there.”

Even in his classes, things had shifted. He had just finished an important business assignment, and when his professor read through it, he was so impressed that he invited Jay to a business dinner with a CEO of a major firm. Jay was taken aback but accepted the invitation with the same calm confidence that now seemed to flow through him. The dinner was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.

“Jay, should I pick you up at 7 p.m., or do you have your own car?” his professor asked, assuming Jay had everything under control.

“No, sir, I don’t own a car,” Jay said with a chuckle. “But don’t worry, I’ll find my way. Just send me the address.”

They exchanged information, and the professor reminded him, “Don’t forget to wear your best, Jay. This is a big opportunity.”

Jay nodded, but his mind wandered. Wear your best, he thought to himself. For the first time, he felt like he was his best. Being an Azure wasn’t just about physical power—it was about feeling majestic, free, and unchained by the insecurities that had once weighed him down.

That night, Jay had a late shift at the coffee shop, where he worked part-time. The owner had trusted him enough to let him lock up. After the last customer left, Jay tidied up the place, preparing to close. But just as he was about to lock the front door, something strange caught his eye—the light in the back storage room was on.

Jay’s stomach tightened. He had never been back there before, and something about it felt off. He moved cautiously, his senses heightened. Then it hit him—someone was inside, trying to rob the store.

Jay quickly called the police and reported the break-in, but he knew they wouldn’t arrive in time to prevent the robbery. Without hesitation, he rushed toward the back. There, standing guard with a gun, was a large man, but Jay didn’t feel the fear he would have in the past. Something inside him stirred—the confidence of the Azure.

In a swift motion, Jay attacked the man, knocking him unconscious and taking the gun. He waited near the back exit, knowing the others would come running once they realized the police were on their way.

Sure enough, moments later, he heard one of the goons shout, “Run! The cops are coming, man! Big John, watch the back!” They burst through the door, but as soon as they did, they froze, staring down the barrel of the gun Jay had taken.

“Drop the bag and get on the ground,” Jay ordered, his voice steady.

The two goons hesitated, fear flashing across their faces. Before they could react, the police arrived, sirens blaring as they surrounded the building. One of the officers shouted, “Drop the gun and get on the ground!”

Jay quickly responded, “I work here. I’m the one who called you!”

After verifying his story, the police let Jay go. The security company and the coffee shop owner soon arrived, and Jay explained what had happened. The owner, a man who had always been tough but fair, looked at Jay in awe.

“Jay, you saved my shop,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “These guys have hit a few places in the area, but no one’s been able to stop them—until now.”

The owner slapped Jay on the back and laughed, “Man, I owe you big time. You name it, and it’s yours. I can’t believe you took them down by yourself. Do you know how dangerous these guys are? They don’t ask questions—they shoot first.”

Jay just shrugged. The whole situation hadn’t phased him. It was as if the power of the Azure had given him an unshakable calm in the face of danger.

The owner smiled and pulled Jay into a tight hug. “You’re something special, kid. I’ll make sure you get whatever you need. Anything. Just let me know.”

Jay smiled back. “Thanks, but I think I’ll just head home. I’ve got that business dinner tomorrow.”

“Ah, right! With the big CEO! Good luck with that,” the owner said, laughing again. “You’ll knock ’em dead, I’m sure. God be with you, Jay.”

They parted ways, and as Jay walked down the street, he stopped in front of a car dealership. His reflection stared back at him through the glass, and for a moment, he placed his hand on the window, touching the image of a car he had been eyeing for a while. He smiled to himself. One day, he thought. One day, I’ll own one of these.

But for now, he walked the rest of the way home. The streets were quiet, the sky was dark, and Jay felt a strange sense of peace, even as the adrenaline from the robbery faded.

Tomorrow was another step in his journey, another chance to prove who he was. But he already knew—he was an Azure, and nothing could stop him now.

The very next morning, Jay woke up to a strange sound outside his window. It wasn’t the usual noise of campus life. Instead, he heard a persistent honking, followed by a familiar voice shouting his name.

“Beep, beep, beep! Jay! Jay, wake up, man! Come down!”

Half asleep and slightly alarmed, Jay bolted out of bed and rushed to the window. Peering out, he saw none other than Mr. Ivan, his boss from the coffee shop, standing by his car with a big grin on his face, waving up at him.

“What on earth?” Jay mumbled to himself, scrambling to put on some clothes before rushing downstairs, still thinking something urgent must have happened. As he reached the street, he called out, “Mr. Ivan, what are you doing here so early? Did you need the shop keys or something?”

Mr. Ivan shook his head, still smiling mischievously. “No, Jay, nothing like that. I don’t need the keys, and the shop’s fine. I just need you to come with me—I’ve got a surprise for you. I’m sure you’re going to love it.”

Confused but intrigued, Jay opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat. As Mr. Ivan made a quick U-turn, Jay’s curiosity grew. They hadn’t driven far before Jay realized where they were heading. The car dealership. The same dealership where Jay had stopped the night before, pressing his hand to the window, dreaming of owning his first car.

Jay’s mind raced. He had no idea what was happening, but he couldn’t shake the strange feeling in his gut—the same feeling of certainty he’d had since becoming an Azure.

Mr. Ivan parked in front of the dealership, turning to Jay with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. “Right, Jay. Today is your day. Come on, don’t just sit there! I want you to go in and choose any car you want. It’s on me.”

Jay blinked, completely stunned. “Huh? What do you mean ‘on you’?” His voice was barely audible, his mind struggling to process what he’d just heard.

“You heard me,” Mr. Ivan said with a chuckle, giving Jay a firm pat on the shoulder. “You earned this, Jay. After what you did last night at the shop, how you handled yourself, this is the least I can do. So, go ahead. Pick any car you want. It’s yours.”

Jay stepped out of the car, his legs feeling a bit unsteady. As they walked into the dealership side by side, Jay’s mind flashed back to the realization he had the night before: one of the powers of the Azure was that if something truly came from the heart, if you truly desired it, the universe would conspire to make it happen. Was this one of those moments?

They were greeted by a friendly salesman, but Jay barely registered the man’s words. His heart was pounding as he walked through the rows of gleaming vehicles, each one more beautiful than the last. He’d never been a materialistic person, but owning a car symbolized something deeper for him—freedom, independence, and the ability to go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted. The feeling of being free resonated deeply within him, like the wings of the Azure lifting him higher.

Mr. Ivan watched Jay closely, offering him advice here and there, but mostly allowing him to take his time. He was more than a boss to Jay—he was a mentor, a father figure who had always been there with guidance and support. And now, standing in that dealership, Jay felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything Mr. Ivan had done for him.

After what felt like hours of browsing and talking, Jay stopped in front of a sleek, dark green Jeep Wrangler. It wasn’t the most expensive car in the lot, but something about it spoke to him. It was rugged, adventurous, and strong—just like how Jay wanted to feel. He imagined himself behind the wheel, driving out into the open air, wind in his hair, with the mountains on the horizon.

“This one,” Jay said, turning to Mr. Ivan. “I want the Jeep Wrangler.”

Mr. Ivan’s eyes lit up with approval. “Great choice, Jay! That’s a fine vehicle. It suits you.”

They finalized the paperwork and grabbed a cup of coffee together while waiting for everything to be processed. As they sat in the dealership’s lounge, Jay couldn’t help but feel like this moment was part of something bigger. Becoming an Azure wasn’t just about power—it was about creating a new life for himself, a life that was full of possibilities. And now, with the keys to his own car about to be placed in his hands, it all felt real.

As they finished their coffee, Mr. Ivan leaned in and said, “Jay, I want you to know something. I’ve watched you grow over these last few months. You’ve changed, and it’s not just because of what happened last night. You’ve got something special inside you, something that sets you apart. And I don’t just mean your work ethic. You’ve got a spark, a light, and I can see that you’re going to go places. Big places. Just keep believing in yourself, okay?”

Jay looked at Mr. Ivan, feeling a lump rise in his throat. “Thank you,” he managed to say. “You have no idea what that means to me.”

They finished their coffee and, a few minutes later, Jay held the keys to his new Jeep Wrangler in his hands. The feeling of those keys in his palm was more than just ownership—it was a symbol of his newfound freedom and confidence.

As they walked out of the dealership together, Jay turned to Mr. Ivan. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”

Mr. Ivan smiled warmly. “You don’t need to thank me, Jay. You earned it. Just remember, the world is yours now. Don’t be afraid to take it.”

With that, Jay climbed into the driver’s seat of his Jeep Wrangler, the engine purring beneath him like a promise of adventures yet to come. As he drove back toward campus, the wind in his face, he felt that familiar stirring inside—something bigger was on the horizon. This was only the beginning.

Maybe, just maybe, Jay was destined for greatness.