Sunlight slipped through the blinds.
The alarm beeped loudly.
Caden groaned and rolled over, squinting at the clock.
7:30 AM.
He sat up slowly, tired, but rested enough to function. He pulled on his clothes, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped into his bathroom. Water splashed against the sink as he brushed his teeth, fixed his hair, and stared at himself in the mirror for a second longer than usual.
Another day.
He walked downstairs where his mom was already in the kitchen.
She smiled warmly and pulled him into a quick hug.
"Good morning."
Caden, still half asleep, muttered, "Morning."
He grabbed his keys, headed outside, and slid into his car. The engine hummed to life as he pulled out toward school.
The parking lot was chaos.
Cars squeezed into tight spaces, students weaving between bumpers.
Caden spotted his friend Jason, who insisted everyone call him Jace.
Jace walked up shaking his head.
"Man, it was impossible to find parking this morning."
Caden laughed.
"Tell me about it. I barely squeezed into a spot over there."
He shut his car door.
"You ready for the game tonight?"
Jace's face lit up.
"Heck yeah. Rivalry game. Whole town's showing up."
"Duh," Caden said. "I'll be there."
"Good," Jace grinned. "We're getting that win tonight."
They walked into school together.
First period.
Caden slid into his seat just as his close friend and tech partner, Eli, rushed in.
"Sup, Caden."
"Sup. Why you late?"
Eli shot him a look.
"What do you mean why? You forced me to stay up all night fixing the suit."
Caden smirked.
"Relax, I'm messing with you."
He leaned back.
"You coming to the game?"
"Yeah," Eli said. "But you're picking me up."
"Deal."
The day dragged by.
After lunch, Caden and Eli were walking down the hallway when Miles intercepted them.
"Caden! Haven't seen you all day."
"Me neither," Caden replied dryly. "My day was good until now."
Miles squinted.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Miles grinned.
"So… where's Lena?"
Caden froze slightly.
"What do you mean Lena? Why would I know?"
Miles laughed.
"Come on, man. We all know you two like each other. Stop pretending."
Caden sighed.
"We're still figuring things out, okay?"
Miles raised his hands.
"Alright, alright."
After school, Caden drove straight to his MMA gym.
The familiar smell of rubber mats and sweat hit him as he stepped inside.
He hit the weights first, pushing through a heavy set before joining his coach for drills.
Coach Darius watched closely.
They wrapped up early because of the game.
As Caden grabbed his bag, Darius spoke calmly.
"How's protecting the city going?"
Caden wiped sweat from his forehead.
"As good as it can. I can keep up… I just can't get overwhelmed."
Darius nodded.
"Patience wins fights. You don't rush the night. You control it."
Caden absorbed that.
"I will."
He picked up Eli and headed home.
They walked in as Caden's parents greeted Eli warmly.
"Hey Eli."
"Evening."
Caden turned to him.
"Hey, Miles and the girls are coming over to get ready. I'm gonna shower. Let them in."
"Got it."
Caden finished just as headlights pulled into the driveway.
The door opened.
Miles entered first, followed by:
Riley, track athlete, loud and confident
Naomi, always with a camera nearby
Lena , quiet, sharp, observant
Caden greeted them casually, trying not to overthink Lena standing there.
The girls talked football players.
Riley wouldn't stop talking about Jace.
Soon everyone was ready.
"Y'all good?" Caden asked.
"Yeah," Eli said. "Let's roll."
The stadium lights burned bright.
The student section was packed, energy electric.
The rivalry game was already in full swing.
They cheered hard.
The crowd roared.
And by the final whistle,
Their team won.
The group rushed down to the field where Jace stood sweaty, grass-stained, pads still on.
Caden clapped his shoulder.
"Good game."
Jace grinned.
"It was crazy out there."
Eli nodded.
"We saw."
After grabbing late-night food, everyone headed home.
Back at Caden's house, he and Eli slipped quietly to the backyard.
Behind a shed, hidden beneath a metal hatch, was a small staircase.
They descended into the bunker.
Inside:
Caden's suit, sleek, dark, armored
Eli's tech desk filled with monitors
A compact stealth jet, The Night Skimmer
Eli sat at his console.
"Tomorrow I'll come early. We gather intel, plan everything out."
He glanced at Caden.
"You need sleep. Tomorrow's going to be eventful."
Caden nodded.
"Still surprised the Galactic Empire doesn't know."
Eli smirked.
"Be glad local law enforcement doesn't know. Or your parents."
He stood.
"See you tomorrow."
The bunker lights dimmed.