Joe Mason stood in front of his bedroom mirror, adjusting the bright blue fabric of his Captain Nova costume. The suit hugged his frame a little too tightly, and the cape, while dramatic, felt like it had a mind of its own—flapping and tangling with everything in sight. With one last tug at the hem, he took a deep breath, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety washing over him.
Tonight was the superhero costume party at school, and he was determined to make a splash. His heart raced as he imagined walking in, head held high, and having everyone gasp in awe at his incredible outfit. But then he remembered the last time he’d tried to impress his classmates—when he’d attempted to showcase his magic tricks during class and ended up dropping the entire deck of cards, scattering them everywhere.
“Just breathe,” he muttered to himself. “You’ve got this.”
As he applied the finishing touches—a pair of oversized sunglasses he had borrowed from his mom—he thought about what it would be like to be a real superhero. Saving the day, fighting off evil villains, and, of course, having epic showdowns that left the world cheering his name. In reality, though, he was just a regular kid who often felt invisible at school, overshadowed by the popular kids who seemed to have everything figured out.
Just then, a knock at the door broke his reverie.
“Joe! You ready?” Timmy’s voice called from the hallway, filled with excitement.
“Yeah! Just a sec!” Joe yelled back, quickly shoving his sunglasses into the costume’s utility belt—an accessory that had come with the suit but had zero actual utility.
Timmy burst into the room, dressed in a patchwork of superhero gear that combined elements of different characters. He called himself Iron Cyber, and he wore an oversized helmet that looked like it had been cobbled together from old computer parts. “Dude, you look awesome!” Timmy exclaimed, adjusting his own mask and striking a goofy superhero pose. “You’re going to be the star of the party!”
Joe felt a flicker of confidence at Timmy’s enthusiasm. “You think? I mean, I’m just a kid in a costume.”
“Exactly! You’re a kid in a costume that looks amazing. Plus, nobody else is going as Captain Nova!” Timmy said, bouncing on his feet. “Let’s go! We don’t want to miss the snacks!”
The two friends headed out, their laughter echoing in the cool evening air as they made their way down the street toward the park where the party was being held. Joe couldn’t shake the feeling of unease in his stomach, especially as they approached the corner where a group of older kids often hung out. They were notorious for teasing anyone who dared to be different.
“Just act cool,” Joe whispered to himself. He tried to project confidence, but his heart sank when he saw the bullies lounging on the corner, eyeing him with that familiar look of disdain.
“Look at the wannabe hero,” one of them sneered, crossing his arms.
“Nice costume, Captain Loser!” another called out, laughter erupting from the group.
Joe’s face burned as he tried to ignore them, gripping his cape tightly as if it would shield him from their words. Timmy, however, was unfazed. “You know what? Forget them! They’re just jealous they can’t pull off our looks!” he declared, raising his fist in the air like a champion.
To distract themselves from the bullies, they decided to take a shortcut through a nearby park, where the trees towered overhead and the night sky was peppered with stars. The two friends joked about their favorite superheroes and compared their costumes, Timmy animatedly sharing facts about Captain Nova’s history.
“Did you know Captain Nova once saved the world from an army of sentient donuts?” Timmy exclaimed, trying to suppress giggles. “I mean, who knew pastries could be so dangerous?”
As they laughed, a dark van pulled up near the park, its side doors flinging open. A group of agents in black suits and sunglasses hopped out, moving with the precision of a well-oiled machine. Joe’s curiosity piqued, and he tugged Timmy toward the scene.
“What’s going on?” Joe whispered, his excitement overriding his initial anxiety.
The agents were barking orders into their earpieces, their expressions serious. “We need to secure the area! Captain Nova is a high-priority target!” one shouted.
Joe’s heart raced. “Wait, what? They’re looking for Captain Nova?”
Before he could fully process what was happening, Joe stumbled over a rock and crashed into a stack of boxes nearby, sending them flying. The clattering noise drew the attention of the agents, who turned toward him with wide eyes.
“There he is!” one agent shouted, pointing directly at Joe. “That’s Captain Nova!”
“What?” Joe’s mouth dropped open as he scrambled to his feet. “No, no! I’m just a kid!”
But before he could explain, two agents grabbed him by the arms, pulling him toward the van. “We don’t have time for this! Get him in!”
“Joe!” Timmy yelled, reaching out as the agents pulled his friend away. “What’s happening?”
“Help! I’m not Captain Nova!” Joe screamed, but the agents weren’t listening. They shoved him into the van, the doors slamming shut behind him.
As the van roared to life and sped away, Joe couldn’t believe what was happening. He glanced back at Timmy, who looked bewildered and helpless.
“Why me?” Joe thought, panic rising. “I just wanted to go to a party!”
The van jostled as it sped down the street, and Joe realized he was about to embark on the craziest adventure of his life—one he never asked for, and one that would turn his dreams of being a hero upside down.
YOU ARE READING
Joe mason 1: a superhero costume catastrophe
HumorJoe Mason, a 14-year-old high school kid with a knack for daydreaming, is excited to attend a superhero costume party. He's dressed as Captain Nova, the world's most famous and powerful superhero, thanks to his over-the-top costume that looks way to...
