•𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑰𝑫𝑬•【√】

『CHAPTER 5』

Lightning captured in a pocket of space. I can barely see Jimin, standing perfectly still and calm at the center of the storm. It holds for a moment, then fizzles and pops and disappears, leaving all of us standing in the tang of burnt ozone.

Taehyung makes a small, strangled sound, lost for words. Jimin runs a hand roughly through his hair, pulling it out of his his face looking immensely frustrated.

"That-was-the-single-coolest-thing-I-have-ever-seen!" I squeal like an internet fangirl, words jumbled out all in one breath.

"Really?" There go the eyebrows again, I seem to confuse poor Jimin a lot.

"Abso-fuckin-lutely!" I feel like I just met Thor, but a lanky, socially awkward version of him.

"That was pretty cool, not gonna lie," Taehyung adds, "I'd say you've got the force field part down."

"Maybe," Jimin looks less than pleased with his progress.

"Not a bad start," Taehyung raises a hand, and sparks begin flickering over the skin of his outstretched fingers. He aims his hand, palm up, at a little table lamp near him and a blue lightning bolt leaps out. The bulb shines like the sun for one single instant before burning out like a gunshot. Shattered fragments of glass fall to the floor with a twinkling sound. He looks down at the mess, "Dammit."

"Smaller watt, smaller blast, " Jimin uses a well-practiced tone as if this is a phrase he says quite often. He sidesteps the power cords and goes to the back table. Next to the stacks of spare bulbs is a dustpan. He passes it to Taehyung, who begrudgingly bends over to clean up the broken glass.

"Breaking them is more fun than cleaning it up," He mutters to himself.

"If you'd control it they wouldn't break," Jimin shakes his head at Taehyung's responding grumbling. He hides a tiny smile while he carefully retrieves the jagged base of the bulb from the lamp, replacing it with a fresh one.

"So do neither one of you feel like X-men?" They're calmly discussing their superpowers and I'm just over here grinning like an idiot. This is so much more fun than sitting in the third floor, taking notes on Namjoon's explanations.

"You get used to it after awhile, but it's always fun," Taehyung tries vainly to stay cool before conceding to my enthusiasm.

"What are X-men?" Jimin tilts his head the tiniest bit, then, "Nevermind."

"So, Minhee, you wanna show us up?" Taehyung dumps the shards of glass into a big green trashcan and takes my hand, leading me to the center of the lights. It reminds me of a batting cage, but instead of the machine shooting at you, you get to do the shooting.

"I can't," He's put me on the spot, and now I'm awkward. I feel my face blushing and there's no way they don't notice.

"You knocked Jimin on his ass last night. Do you realize how hard that is? I've been trying for three years," Taehyung pats me on the shoulder before taking several large steps back. I can't see their faces anymore. Too many lamps, and none of them have shades. Blotches hover sluggishly over my vision. Shit. What if I can't do this?

There's a learning curve for any skill, I suppose, but Taehyung has a point. I've done it before. I shake my hands to calm my nerves, and close my eyes. I feel like a nincompoop. It's nerve-wracking, standing here. I feel the beginnings of panic. What if I can't do it again? Will they give up on me? This is good though, right? I was scared last time. I crack one eye open and raise my left hand. I try to focus on it, to make an electric charge like Taehyung. Nothing. Maybe I'm not scared enough. Neither of them are making any noise, so it's safe to assume they're still watching me. Then something clicks. I slow my breathing. I close both eyes again and manage a smile. Think happy thoughts. Warm summer rain. The smell of old books. I am safe. I am calm. I think something's happening. I feel the static in the air around me. The hairs on the back of my neck rise. I am safe. I open my eyes, and see the blue light. I am safe. My smile slides into an ear to ear grin. I am encircled by the light, and it's beautiful. I am safe. A crashing sound. Shit, what's that? My concentration breaks and the ensuing blast blinds me a moment. Oops. Glass falls like wind chimes against the floor.