INT. BEDROOM — EARLY MORNING

The sunlight barely peeks through the window in James' bedroom. Matthew calls his son's name over and over.

Matthew (V.O.): James! James!..

Matthew's voice fades into the Australian voices. Noah, in a ski mask, gets louder in his ears, shaking James awake.

Noah (V.O.): James! James! Wake the bloody fuck up, mate.

James' eyes flutter and peer open as he lays in a puddle of sweat, a purple hue illuminating the bedroom and fading away. With his hoodie flung about his masked face, a super in the corner stands watching James in concern. James' eyes pull to the super, standing there.

James: Son of a bitch.

James charges at the super, slamming and pinning him against the wall. The super's arms shoot to the ceiling to surrender, pure fear on his face.

Noah: Chill, mate. I'm not going to hurt you.

James and the super stare into the eyes of each other before James lets go of him.

Noah (wheezing): You're so strong.

The boy dusts himself off.

James: Good to know. Now, who are you?

Noah: What the fuck is with this family? Do you think I'm telling you that bloody information?

James pins the boy against the wall, raising his hands again.

James: What do you want?

James raises his fist to punch the kid, and the super shields his face.

Noah: Hey! Whoa. Easy there, Mighty Mouse.

Suddenly James is distracted by someone coming up the steps. The boy suddenly makes his move, knocking James' feet from under him and making his escape out the window. Then, Sam rounds the corner.

Sam: You good?

Sam looks down at James with a frown, realizing his situation.

Sam: Son of a bitch.

James (Angry): I should have killed him when I had the—

Sam: You know, killing him won't solve our problems. I know you don't want to live with the guilt that you murdered someone... (long hesitant beat)
I'm driving you to the mall. Matthew and Derek had an emergency meeting at work this morning and had to leave early, and you need to get out more.

James: Fuck.

Sam chuckles.

Sam: Language. (Beat) Do your super-speed thing, Super boy. I want you downstairs no later than ten minutes.

James rolls his eyes.

James (Sarcastic mumble) Great.

Sam leaves the room.

INT. MALL - EVENING

James sits against one of the empty glass store windows with Derek, licking chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream out of a cone.

James
Those two new kids in my class, they're supers and I have a bad feeling about Noah and Max.
James slurps, dripping vanilla ice cream off his thumb. Derek looks at James,  his eyebrows raised, and sucks on his mint chip cone.
Derek
What?
James shrugs.
James
It just seems weird that they came out of nowhere, you know.
They sit silently, and James dips into my ice cream with his tongue again.
Derek
I mean, maybe you should trust your instinct. It could be your spidey senses tingling.
Derek lets out a laugh before biting into his ice cream whole. Who does that?
Derek
Are we almost done?
James
I may or may not have a few more bites.
James points out his two scoops of ice cream still piled onto my cone.
Derek
You're kidding, right?
James
What?
DEREK
Who bites ice cream?
Nearby, an alarm sounds at a jewelry store. They don't even notice a masked man walk by them while Derek and James are busy with our mid-afternoon desserts. This was the third robber they encounter recently besides the one James tossed on his brother's car for the sky.
Robber #3
Nobody moves, or they get a bullet in their bloody skull.
The robber seems Australian, just like those other two supers. It couldn't have been more of a coincidence.
Derek
Son of a bitch.
James and his brother simultaneously toss their ice cream in a trash can beside us and strategize for a moment.
James
Go, Derek!
Derek rolls his eyes and stays put.
Derek
You go. I'll be right behind you. You're the one with powers.
James rolls his eyes this time.
James
(mumbles)
Wuss.
Derek
I heard that.
James dons his hood, rises into the sky, overseeing a masked man's smash-and-grab at the jewelry store. Derek flees on foot, leaving shocked employees and intrigued onlookers capturing the chaos on their phones.
Derek
Hands up!
Derek announces himself, pulling his gun from his waistband beneath his hoodie, feeling mighty for a moment. But the robber turns his attention to James, floating in the air, staring down at him. James' eyes drift to Derek below, standing there watching him. Suddenly, the robber plucks the gun from Derek's hand with something simple as a thought, and it floats across the room into the robbers' hands. James sucks in a sharp breath.
James
Shit. He's super, too. Why didn't we see that coming.
The masked man suddenly lifts into the sky and matches James's height, and he points the gun back at Derek. Then he pushes his finger against the trigger, narrowly missing the young couple walking by, totally not paying attention. James is in front of Derek in a split second, and he squeezes his eyes shut. Then, as the bullet bounced off his chest, James' eyes peeked open, and he sighed.
James
Whew. I haven't done that in years.
James drops to ground level with the robber. The man's blue eyes narrow with his, and his grin drops, and he turns the barrel on the two store employees. Then, he points the gun toward James.
Robber #3
Stand up, James.
James eyes widen in panic, and he looks at Derek who is also shocked.
RoBBER #3
Bloody hell. I said, STAND UP, James Everett Knight.
JAMES
How do you know my name?
Robber #3
Ask your father who I am.
James
Noted.
James raises his hands. The robber points the gun at Derek.
ROBBER #3
You too, Derek.
Derek rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. The robber irritably points the gun back at the two employees standing cautiously with their hands in the air.
James
Leave them alone. They didn't do anything to you.
The robber turns the gun on James this time, and he bites his tongue. Then he turns the gun back to the employees. One employee, blonde and tall, eyes the counter. His hand slipped under, and he pressed a panic button. The alarm whistles. The impatient robber growls, and the gun clicks. Derek stands there, urging James to do something super as James stands there frozen in fear for the first time in his life, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Robber #3
(yelling)
Do you want to fucking die today?
The robber adjusts his hold on the gun and employee number two, a young girl, slips her hand under the table this time, hitting the alarm again. The robber points his gun at her, and a bullet flies from the weapon. Time freezes while everything moves in slow motion. James takes off superhuman speed, swiftly rushing to both employees' aid. The remaining glass from the countertops shatters, and James knocks both employees to the ground on top of one another while the bullet pierced the wall. Then, he pulls off the two of them when he feels safe. The male employee awkwardly smiles at his co-worker from behind her before rolling off.
Robber #3
You're stupid, just like Sam.
James' eyebrows raise, and he swears Derek has the same expression painted on his face. It was the second time Sam's name came up. What dumb thing did Sam do to get us into this mess?
The robber raises the gun, pointing it at James again. James charges the man, frozen in time, and yanks the gun from his hands as they tumble in the air three stories to the ground level below. Both their eyes shift to the gun lying smashed on the floor next to them, as if it was a plastic toy.
Robber #3
What the bloody hell.
They collect themselves from the ground. James dusts debris from his shirt and shrugs. Then, as the police barge through the mall, guns were drawn on the robber. James takes a deep, relieved breath. Matthew steps forward in the crowd of cops.
Matthew
Hands up.
His eyes study his son standing there and his gun drawn on the robber for a moment. But a dozen officers turn their weapons on James. James lifts his hands in the air to surrender. Instead, his father stops them before they can pull the trigger.
Matthew
Stand down.
The officers still shakily point the gun at James.
Matthew
(yelling)
Damn it! I said, stand down.
The police retreat with their guns to the robber. James' eyes land on Derek, who races down the second-floor elevator to meet the other cops.
Matthew
Where's your brother?
Derek's eyes meet James' before he shrugs, and James' eyes shift to the floor, away from his father.
Derek
Not sure. James wandered away to get something, but I hadn't seen him since.
Matthew
Find him.
All eyes drag to the other officers' gaze shifts around the open mall.
Garrett
What the hell!

His eyes draw to James.
GARRETT
Where is the damn robber?
The other officers look dumbfounded.
Cop #1
He's superhuman!
All eyes turned to James this time. James throws his hands in the air again, and there's silence again until he finally clears his throat, avoiding the dead silence.
James
(disguising his voice)
I guess I'll go.
James points to the sky. Then he cautiously raises, floating above the heavy police presence. Cameras flash from every angle, trying to catch the best picture. Then, James salutes the officers below, staring at his father, watching him from below, and then taking off, flying past Mark's friends who look up from their cellphones as he passes by barreling through the double sliding mall entrance.
INT. CAR - NOON
Panic pounds James' beating heart. Derek drives his tesla slowly through their neighborhood, taking his time as they approach their block.
James
What-the-fuck!
Still, instead of going straight home, he turns the corner and rushes up the hills into the mountains nearby, looking over at James ever so slightly in the mirror to make sure he is okay. James sits in the back seat, his tense shoulders dropping for a moment.
Derek
Breathe, James.
Derek soothes him. James takes a sharp breath in and lets it go.
James
Dad was right there. RIGHT THERE! And there's another fucking super. What-the-fuck!
Derek
James, calm down. I don't think dad noticed, and even if he did, it's time he knows.
James
I don't know if I want dad knowing about my powers, Derek. What if—
Derek stops him almost mid-sentence. Then he pulled over to the side of the road as a car raced past them at the top of the hill.
Derek
Dad most likely knows about your powers. You're not the quiet type for being a hero, and he knows what you wear daily. As I've said before, he doesn't want to accept it.
James sits back against the window, watching the starry night sky at the top of the hill. Derek watches with his brother for a moment and rolls down the window, inviting the light, chilled breeze that brushes their faces.
Derek
You were great today. Don't let your modest mentality set you back. Be proud of the hero you've become.
James
I do it because it was the right thing to do and not because I wanted fame or anything out of it. I rather hide in the shadows than be the hero everyone sees me becoming.
Derek sucks in a sharp breath.
Derek
I know. That's why I help you do it.
James
What do you think dad will say when we get home?
Derek
I don't know about that one, but I would take off your hoodie if I were you. You can throw it between your feet and grab it when dad goes back to work.
James groans, unbuckling my seatbelt. Then, tugging his hoodie off by the sleeves, he pulls it over my head and throws it down on his sneakers.
Derek (CONT. D)
But, it's not like dad doesn't know what your hoodie looks like—
Derek starts the car again. Then he pulls back onto the road in front of him.
INT. LIVING ROOM — HOME — DAY
Sam and Matthew are sitting on the couch together when Derek and James walk in; They are sucking on a beer, and their eyes meet James in one glance.
Matthew
How was the mall?
Derek and James freeze in the doorway for a moment; James tucks his hoodie in his arms, and they all gawk at each other like deer in the headlights.
Derek
It was something.
Derek laughs nervously, drying the silence and saving James' ass again.
James
Yeah.
Sam
Where were you when the robbery was going down?
Matthew's eyes meet James again. There is more silence for a moment as he watches James walk across the hallway into the living room with Derek, who leans against the open doorway. Instead of pushing James any further, his father relaxes his raised eyebrow.
Matthew
There's pizza in the kitchen if you boys want some.
James is usually starving and exhausted after doing something super, such as saving the city or some shit like that, and he was near ready to eat the paint chips off the ceiling if he had to. Derek and James exchange glances, and he walks off into the hallway.
Derek
I'll bring you some, James.
James stays in the living room, exchanging glances with Sam this time. Ironically enough, Iconic, James throws his hoodie over his back and ties it around his neck like a cape.
Sam
Did you see anything that happened?
James watches him with a squinted "You're kidding, right" look before completely lying like he usually does in front of his father.
James
Uh, maybe? There was too big of a crowd to tell what was going on, but I caught some of it.
Derek
What dumbasses? Who stands there watching an armed robbery in progress with a video camera and doesn't do shit to help the situation?
Derek appears behind James, passing his brother a paper plate filled with four slices of thick warm pepperoni pizza Sam probably put together in five, maybe ten minutes tops, not to throw hate on Sam's cooking because the man could cook. As James takes that first bite, he nearly scarfs down a whole two slices in minutes without realizing.
Sam
I don't even get a thank you.
Sam jokingly begs for appreciation as James looks up from his food. Then he tipped his beer my way.
Derek and James pause in between bites and tip their pizza slice towards Sam.
Derek and James
(In unison)
Thanks, Sam.
Matthew chuckles at the two of them and takes a sip of his beer. Sam gulps the rest of his beer down.
Matt
Are you going to bed?
James
Yep.
Derek
I have an early morning shift.
Then he pats James back, salutes his dad and Sam, and walks off. James sucks in a sharp breath.
James
I'm tired too.
He takes another bite of his pizza and tips it at Sam and his dad again.
Matthew
Good night, kiddo.
James
Good night.
He walks away towards the staircase to his bedroom.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Mia catches up to James, trailing behind him. James stops in the middle of foot traffic for her. Students walk around the two of them.
MIA
Hey, James.
James smiles brightly. Mia takes his hand.
JAMES
What's up, Mia?
MIA
Are you excited about Saturday? The carnival is going to be incredible!
James' grin widens.
JAMES
I am.
Mia curtsies for fun, swaying her lower shirt, and James laughs.
MIA
To be honest, I've never been on a date.
Mia's smile deflates.
JAMES
You're telling me this now.

Mia grimaces anxiously. Her hand merges tighter with James' fingers for a beat.

James
What time am I picking you up?
MIA
Six-thirty. Don't be late.
JAMES
Sure. I'll be extra late.
James winks at Mia, and they walk together down the hallway, clutching hands as they wander to their next class, watching Mark nearly lose his mind as they walk in.
MARK
(Yelling)
What the fuck, Mia?
Mia struggles to pull her fingers from James. James takes the empty seat next to Mia. He humbly grins at Mark. That's one point for James.
Mark returns to his conversation with Max and Lucas. Noah sits quietly in the seat next to James, staring at him with his hood pulled over his head and dark brown eyes.
MR. ALEXANDER KINLEY, a substitute for Mr. Rooke's class, youthful for being in his early '40s, and Caucasian with deep blonde hair and blue eyes, resembled a heavy Australian accent although he speaks more like an American. He lays his briefcase down on his desk and addresses the classroom as if he owns the building.
MR. KINLEY
Good morning, class. I'm Mr. Kinley, your substitute, thanks to Ms. Rooke.
Half of the class grunts and groans in unison while a few chuckling. A few students cover their heads with their hoods. James doodles. I say doodling; I mean scratching and scribbling lines and shapes on his paper. He's not much of an artist and wouldn't make it a sketch artist or anything soon.
MR. KINLEY
James Knight. Read the poem on the board for me, mate.
Mr. Kinley clears his throat, thumping his fingers against James' desk in the front row, and points to the board. His eyes track James' fingers, watching him drop his pen on his paper.
James sits back and looks up at the board, but after collapsing in his seat when he reads the first and second sentences, he can collect himself and reads aloud.
JAMES
Flying, leaping, and jumping into action. This hero does more than gratify his reputation. We all wear masks, but the person beneath the hood, the overlooked underdog, goes above and beyond the ordinary tasks.
James looks around and acknowledges the entire class is staring at him. There is dead silence, and Mark starts slow-clapping with a grin.
MARK
Wow, Mr. Kinley, that was deep. You know supers suck, right?
Mark looks at James, then at Max. Mr. Kinley puffs on his chest in anger, slamming his fists on his wooden desk.
MR. KINLEY
(agitated)
The supers do many things that your father cannot do, Mr. Reignson.
Mark fuels Mr. Kinley's fury, slamming his hands on his desk with a grunt.
MARK
Yeah, like what? What can they do that's so incredible? They're just destructive and a waste of time.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Sam waits for James in the kitchen while James pushes through the door. He confronts James in the kitchen with an unopened root beer bottle against his teeth. James pulls up on a stool at the far edge of the counter and sighs.
James
So, my teacher's a fucking poet.
Sam laughs, and James rolls his eyes, plopping down next to Sam on the stool.
James
Is it that obvious?
Sam
James, I've even seen the dents you've put in your locker during parent-teacher nights.
Sam struggles to open his root beer. James yanked the bottle from him and popped it open with ease.
Sam
Thanks. It just means you need to be more careful with your powers.
James
What if I don't want these powers?
Sam pulls himself off the stool and lays a sympathetic hand on James' shoulder.
Sam
I know, James. I've tried to fix it, remember?
James rolls his eyes.
James
I hate this whole super thing. Those supers are after you, Sam. I don't have any idea of how to deal with this.
Sam sets his soda bottle on the table, occupying the seat next to James, and begins one of his many speeches to boost James' confidence.
Sam
Well, James, your powers come with considerable sacrifice. You may not have wanted them, but you may have no choice but to keep them.
James stares at Sam with raised eyebrows.
Sam
Look, if you seriously don't want your powers, I'm working on something small again, but I'm not just going to let you give up that easily. The world needs you, James. Your family needs you. It's a crucial time.
James
You need me.
James reminds Sam.
SAM
Not as much as your father or brother, James. Would you like to help me down in the laboratory?
James' eyebrows furrow. Sam smiles, taking another sip of his drink.
JAMES
At this very moment?
Sam
I imagined we'd have some time to get additional data on your abilities? You know, just in case my next cure doesn't work.
Sam smiles as he takes another sip of his drink. James grimaces. He knows that the first cure Sam ever gave him won't work. He always hoped to be ordinary again, but fate has given him a different path.
SAM
You want some soda?
Sam pushes an unopened root beer across the table. He finally gets non-caffeinated. James listens to the top of the soda cap and pulls the bottle to his lips. He takes a sip.
JAMES
Does it come with a considerable sacrifice?
James floats his soda bottle from his lips to the table. Sam shakes his head.
SAM
Go to the lab. I'll meet you down there in a moment.
INT. BASEMENT LABORATORY - DAY
Sam and James are in the basement sipping root beer and testing James's abilities again. A giant wheel-like treadmill sits in the basement's corner, looking mighty beaten up. James floats over, landing flawlessly on the machine.
Sam focuses on his keypad, shooting James a brief thumbs-up as he speeds up in place, catching speeds of well over 300,000,000 meters per second. He comes to a halt moment later, seeing himself near the edge of the machine, slipping off the edge with grace and twirling in a circle with his sneakers.
JAMES
Sam, what do you remember about your work?
Sam's eyebrows rise from behind his computer screen, and he sucks air through his teeth.
SAM
Not a good time to ask me about that, bud.
JAMES
Why?
SAM
Look, James. These supers are a more significant problem than my work for the government. You are getting more powerful, but I'm unsure if it's enough to take on the others.
JAMES
Sam, what is it about these supers that unnerve you?
James pushes Sam for another answer. Sam pulls himself up from behind the computer screen, looking bothered.
SAM
I don't need to discuss that with you yet.
JAMES
Okay, fine. I was just curious.
James claps his hands together and grins.
JAMES
What's next on the list?
SAM
Actually, you're done. I already have data from the other day.
JAMES
Oh, come on, Sam.
SAM
I'm working on something rather significant, and I need you to go upstairs right now.
James grunts massively, dragging himself towards the staircase.
JAMES
Fine, you win. I'll just take a walk and find Derek.
James clunks up the staircase and stops at the top of the steps, anticipating Sam's response. Sam yells at him from below.
SAM
Just a walk, James.
JAMES
Whatever.
James leaves the room, walking off up the steps.
EXT. CAR - DAY
Derek and James sit in the cop car at the Phantom burger parking lot, snacking cheeseburgers and fries.
Derek
When are you planning on talking to dad about your powers? I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure he knows by now.
Derek takes a bite of his burger. James stuffs a fry in my mouth.
James
What about the point zero-one percent?
Derek
Dad is, well...Dad.
There's a moment of silence.
James
(Mumbles)
Yeah, he probably knows.
Derek chuckles, taking the last bite of his burger. He clicks his tongue against his teeth and sits back.
Derek
Yep.
Outside, something or rather someone rocks the car. Derek steals the bag full of fries from James's fingers and glares at him.
Derek
You know how this works.

Derek gestures outside, stealing a fry with his other hand.
Derek
Get out there.
James huffs, throwing his hoodie over his head, and opens the door, meeting Super #2, outside the car, with his hood hiding his face too. James pulls his fingers into fists, ready to attack, but the boy lifts his hands in the air to surrender.
Noah
Chill, mate. I'm here to help you.
James' left eyebrow rises in amusement, and his arms across his chest, studying the boy.
James
Who are you?
The teen chuckles to himself and lifts into the sky a few inches.
Noah
I'm not telling you that.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
James
Why are you after my uncle?
The hooded boy scoffs, landing on the sidewalk beside James; his face turns to the floor.
Noah
You mean, Sam?
(He snickers with a grin.)
What has he told you about his past? I mean, he's had to have told you something, considering you have superpowers.
James looks at the kid up and down. Derek opens the car door and looks at the two boys.
Derek
(Mumbling)
Great.
Derek takes hold of his taser stuffed in his hoodie. The teen appears beside him, pinning Derek against the car to stop him. Derek lets the taser go.
Noah
Relax. I don't want to hurt you guys.
The boy lets Derek go, backing off, and Derek's panic dissipates a little.
Derek
If you're not here to hurt us, why would you attack me like that?
The boy scoffs, adjusting his mask, his face still turned to the floor.
Noah
You reached for your taser, mate. I'm not stupid. In fact...
Noah taps his temple, and his voice projects into Derek and James's thoughts. They try to tune it out by plugging their ears, but it's inside their head.
Noah (V.O.)
I can read and put thoughts into your mind.
He taps his temple again, and Derek and James stare at him.
Noah
Just be careful what you think.

The super's cellphone rings in his pocket, and he fishes it from his pants.

Noah
I have to go. Raincheck?
Without an answer, he disappeared into the night air.
Derek
Fuck!

Derek gets back into the car and slams the door. James follows him.
Derek
We have to say something to Sam, and you have to tell Dad your secret.
James shakes his head.
James
That guy doesn't seem like a threat. He was trying to help.
Derek
I don't trust him.
James
Why? He seemed better than the other guy from the other day.
Derek huffs.
Derek
Did you miss the part when he pinned me against the car?
James
No, but I want you to trust me. That guy is not the bad guy.
Derek shakes his head and throws the bag of fries at James.
Derek
Just eat your fries, Super boy.
Derek starts the car. He pulls out of the parking spot, and they take off toward home.
Int. Classroom - morning
James takes the front desk closest to the doorway, throwing his backpack on the desk, and Noah takes the desk beside him. James stares at Max sitting in the back row on his desk, glaring at him. Mark sits beside him, watching James too, but his gaze draws to Noah, who digs his pen into his wooden desk with force as he carves his name into the wood.
Mr. Kinley sits at his desk, counting the students as they pile into the classroom. His gaze meets James's. Mr. Kinley seems annoyed with someone in the room, but he keeps his bitterness to himself.
Noah
If it helps, they don't seem that bad.
Noah gestures to Mark and his friends. Then, he wedges his pen between his teeth.
Noah
(Muttering)
However, Maximus is a dick.
James huffs.
James
That's good to know.
James looks at Max as he looks back at him. Max cracks his knuckles loud enough that James can hear it from my desk and grins at him.
Int. Kitchen - James House - noon
Derek and James sit at the kitchen island eating leftover brookies while sucking down a glass of milk. James floats a can of the sprite to my lips.
Derek
That's quite bold.
James
What?
Derek sighs.
Derek
Dad is here.
I grabs the can from the air and sets it down on the counter. Matthew walks through the doorway, wet from the rain outside, holding the mail from outdoors, soaked wet, and Derek shoots James a "told you so" look.
Matthew
I'm going for a drive this evening, and I was hoping you could come with me, James.
Derek takes a sip of milk.
Derek
Reignson, let you off today?
Derek pulls his milk to his lips again and takes a big gulp, leaving a milk mustache on his lips.
Matthew
Yep.
Matthew plucks Derek's Brookie from his fingertips and finishes it in one bite.
Matthew
Thanks Derek.
Matthew leaves the room with a stuffed mouth. James stuffs his brookie in his mouth. Derek stares at the doorway where their father left the room and pouts.
Derek
Why does everyone steal my food?
James
Bad luck, I guess.
Derek glares at James, his eyes fixed on his soda can, and he rolls his eyes.
Derek
You're lucky I don't drink sprite.
Derek checks his cellphone and leaves the kitchen in a rush. James sighs, leaning against the broken countertop, loosening another chunk as dust and debris rains down on his thigh.
James
Son of a bitch! Stupid super strength.
Derek
(Yelling)
You probably deserve that.
James pulls away from the counter with his sprite and exits the kitchen.
I/E. Car - neighborhood - night
Matthew drives through the winding hills of Phoenix, keeping within speed limits in solitude. He concentrates on the peaceful, silent, dark, and twisting, wet canyon road--the light from the moonlit skylights and the sidewalk lamp posts cast shadows on the sidewalk. The dark sky lingers above, and the rain hammers the cars.
Matthew
I don't want you hanging out with Derek when he's at work. As much as I want you to enter the academy after graduation, he isn't the most influential person in your life.
James
Dad!
Instead, Matthew glares at James as they pull to a red light.
Matthew
James, you're sixteen!
Matthew's gaze strays from the road for a brief while. James sighs and concedes. Matthew slams on the pedal and sped down the road while James curls against the car's window.
Matthew
If you enjoy going with Derek so much, maybe I might enroll you in ROTC or something.
James huffs a deep breath of air and sinks into the window.
James
Nope.
Matthew grunts, frustrated by James's defiance.
Matthew
I should have done that when you first entered high school.
A dark figure drops from the sky, creating a deep crater in the streets in front of them. Matthew slams the brakes, and the automobile comes to a screeching halt. Super #2, a teenage super takes a few steps forward into the lights, watching Matthew and James.
Matthew
What the fuck!
James's fists clench, ready to fight, but he holds back since he's with his father. Super #2, in a dark gray hoodie with a mask that only appeared to cover his eyes leans against the car's hood, stopping Matthew in his tracks. James's head hammers as raindrops pound Noah's saturated hoodie. Noah and James lock eyes for a moment.
Noah (V.O.)
(To James)
I'm not going to hurt you. I want to talk to you.
The super's youthful yet masculine Australian voice appears in James's mind. The boy's gaze shifts to Matthew sitting in the driver's seat, uncomfortably. Super #2 shrugs as he returns his gaze to James.
Matthew honks the horn and glares at the super kid, squinting to make out his shadow in the moonlit neighborhood. Super #2 still stands in front of them with a raised eyebrow.
Noah (V.O.)
(To James)
I guess I'll take a raincheck, mate.
The super boy salutes James and disappears into the rain.
Matthew
What the fuck was that about?
Matthew looks at James wide-eyed. James exchanges a confused shrug and sighs.
James
I'm not sure yet.
James looks out into the open road while taking in sharply panicked breaths.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
The doorbell rings, and Derek pulls his head from the marble slab island in the kitchen, while his dad watches, scarfing down a brookie springing fast from the seat, nearly falling over from exhaustion.
Derek
I'll get it.
INT. Hallway - House - MomENTS LATER
Derek bolts to the door. The doorbell urgently rings the twice again, and the front door opens. Noah stands in the doorway, grinning wide as his eyes jerk as James bolts down the steps. James stares at him wide-eyed, looking him up and down.
Derek
Can I help you?
Noah pushes past him into the foyer, next to James by the stairs.
Noah
Nice house, Knight.
Then, he pats James' shoulder, and Noah paces to the kitchen, pops open the fridge and pulls out a cola, in front of Matthew. Derek and James stare amused.
Derek
What-the-fuck.
James
What do you want, Noah?
Noah
I came by to say hi, and oh, possibly talk to you about something important.
Noah wiggles his eyebrows at James. Matthew points his beer at Noah and looks at James.
Matthew
Do you know this kid?
Matthew scowls at Noah.
Noah
We go to school together, mate.
Noah throws his arm over James' shoulder. James pushes Noah off of him.
James
What do you want, Noah?
Noah glances around the room before his eyes land on Matthew, uncomfortable in the corner.
Noah
I want to talk to you. Did you not hear me the first time?
James looks at Derek for help, and he shrugs.
Derek
Fine.
Derek gestures out of the room. Then he briefly locks eyes with his dad.
Derek
We'll go to James' room, but I'm staying with the both of you.
Noah
Alright, rookie. He barks and bites. Wuff.
(Noah's grins)
I'll race you there.
Noah wanders past Derek as he rushes behind him up the steps, and James follows.
Derek
Don't touch anything, Noah.
Then Noah races into James' bedroom, jumping on his mattress.
INT. Laboratory - Noon
Samual sits at a desk, watching Maximus, 5, James, 5, and Noah, 4, play superheroes, pretending to fly around the room. Another boy, BRYCE, 4, looking identical to Noah sits in the background, watching with this head in his hand, unamused.
Sam
(to Bryce)
Bryce, why don't you join the boys?
Bryce scoffs in response.
Sam
You okay, bud?
Bryce hides his face in his knees, away from his father's eyes. Sam takes a seat next to Bryce, and pulls him into his body.
Sam
Were going to get through this, Bryce. I promise you all, I'll save you somehow.
Suddenly, Alexander walks into the laboratory and the childish laugher dies as the boys freeze.
Alexander
Maximus, Noah, Bryce-
Alexander's eyes land on Sam cuddling Bryce in the corner.
Sam
Come on, Alex. They're just kids.
Alexander grabs Maximus's arm, but James pushes his hand away with a burst of rage.
James
LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!
James shoves Alexander, but he doesn't move a muscle.
AleXANDER
I'm going to talk to your father.
James sticks out his tongue.
AlEXANDER
GO NOW!
Maximus and Noah swiftly and panicked, rush past James. Bryce shifts out of Sam's arms, and defeated, Sam lets Bryce rush off too. Alexander glares at James, then Sam, and walks out of the room.
Int. Bedroom - momENTS LATER
Noah settles in the air, hovering above James's mattress in the spacious room. Derek stands in the corner and watches Noah, unsure what to do with a dangerous superhuman in the room, and neither does James, who stands in the distance from his bed and the door.
Derek
Who are you again?
Derek watches Noah float his cellphone above his chest as he drops from the air to the mattress.
Noah
I can't tell you that, mate.
(He glances at Derek and winks) )
But Superboy over here needs to resist playing hero for maybe just a moment. Max and I have been on to you since we moved here.
He takes a deep breath and exhales.
James
Listen, Noah. I have powers, but I'm not sure my dad knows, and I want to keep it like that, so you're not going to make this hard.
Noah
I invade your bedroom, and you're worried about that? Geez.
Noah rolls his eyes and laughs to himself.
Derek
What do you want?
Noah
It's not me you need to worry about. I'm not the bad guy.
Derek
Well, you're certainly not doing a good job of making yourself LOOK like the good guy right now.
Derek leans against the wall, his eyes zoned in on Noah. Noah looked at James for help. Noah huffs, lowering his phone to his hands.
Noah
Okay, tough guy. Don't you think I would have hurt you by now if I was going to do something?
Noah sits up as he raises an eyebrow in Derek's direction.
Derek
Watch it.
Derek points his finger at Noah. James rolls his eyes at Derek, then Noah.
Noah
What are you going to do, mate?
Noah's eyes trail to James' science book left open on the desk. SLAM! The pages slap closed. Derek jumps.
Derek
You dick!
Derek glowers at him. Noah stifles a chuckle, watching James in the doorway. This time, James is mad.
James
Go home, Noah.
Noah
I don't have a home.
James
I'll talk to you tomorrow. Go home wherever you're staying, Noah.
Noah huffs, rolling off the mattress.
Noah pushes past James' as he walks by, rushing down the steps to the door. Derek goes away from the wall, taking a seat at James' desk.
Derek
I take it that guy isn't popular?
James
Nope.
INT. HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL - DAY
Mia and James stand by the Ferris wheel. Mia is smiling and finishing the last bite of their shared cotton candy.
MIA
So...
Mia pushes her lips together.
JAMES
So, I have something to tell you.
James grins, half-drunk in Mia's smile.
MIA
What?
Mia looks deep into James' eyes, and attentive and in love, he grabs her hands. The wind brushes her face as the carnival begins with loud carnival games and people running around in costume.
JAMES
Do you trust me?
MIA
What is it, James?
Mia's nose compresses.
JAMES
(Repeating himself)
Do you trust me?
Mia looks concerned for James. James throws his hood over his head and guides Mia towards the open back of the Ferris wheel ride. James pulls Mia's hands over his shoulder, and suddenly, they take off in the air.
MIA
James, we're... flying!
Mia looks scared but amused as she clings to James and steadies herself.
JAMES
It's okay. I've got you. Don't look down.
Mia studies her surroundings.
MIA
But, how? I've known you since the sixth grade.
Multiple people stop as James and Mia float higher in the air.
JAMES
I blame Sam.
MIA
Oh, so, wait! You're Alpha?
JAMES
Yep.
She looks up at James, and suddenly they're staring into each other's eyes. James leans in, combing her hair with his fingers. He holds on, his lips brushing hers.
Fireworks explode around the two of them  in the background as they dance in the air. Mia kisses James back, pressing her lips firmly against his. James shuts his eyes, feeling the wind brush their faces, and he floats with her, level with the Ferris wheel.
Down below, chaos organizes. People run for shelter while a super threatens the Carnival. James opens his eyes and swoops below, putting Mia on the ground.
JAMES
Run, Mia.
James points off in the distance, and Mia takes off, hiding behind a booth nearby. Max appears, disguised under a hoodie and mask.
MAX
James-Bloody-Everett-Knight.
Max doesn't disguise his voice this time. James rush's out, meeting the super amid heavy foot traffic.
JAMES
I'm right here. Leave these people alone.
Max chuckles.
MAX
I'm not here for them. You're the one I want--for now.
Max lifts into the air, swooping towards a group of people stuck on a roller coaster. The people jerk in their seats, creating shelter within each other.
MAX
But if you want to play games...
Max's finger digs into the side of the metal machine. Screams echo from the ride. James swoops, tumbling in the air, hurling the miscreant boy to the ground. Max doesn't submit under the pressure of James' strength. He is dead meat.
MAX
James Knight. I'm going to bloody kill you.
James's hands dig into Max's neck. Max lets go of James' shoulders, choking on air as his hoodie falls behind him.
James
Max.
James pulls off to the side, catching his breath. Max tugged at James' hoodie, pulling it down his back. Max watches James' eyes for a moment, and within seconds, he disappears into the open.
James rises to his feet, scanning the quiet carnival for Mia. She is nowhere to be found.
JAMES
Mia! MIA!
Mia doesn't answer. James dusts himself off, feeling defeated, and lifts into the air, ascending home.
To be continued...