Matt's house was quieter than Cypriana expected.
Not silent—just… normal.
A suburban kind of quiet. The hum of a fridge. The distant sound of a lawnmower outside. A world that didn't know anything had changed.
Cypriana sat on the carpet in Matt's room, legs folded beneath her, camera resting beside her like a forgotten limb.
The boys were scattered around like it was just another hangout.
Like they weren't carrying something impossible inside their bodies.
Steve was leaning against Matt's desk, restless energy buzzing through him.
Andrew sat closer to the wall, shoulders hunched, watching everything with those sharp, careful eyes.
Matt was in the middle of the floor, surrounded by a pile of Lego pieces.
He grinned.
"Okay," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Start small. Like… baby telekinesis."
Steve snorted. "Baby-kinesis."
Cypriana rolled her eyes. "That's not a word."
"It is now," Steve said.
Matt lifted his hand, palm open.
He focused.
The Lego bricks trembled.
Then—
They rose.
Not fast. Not dramatic.
Just… gentle. Like invisible fingers picking them up.
Cypriana's breath caught anyway.
The pieces hovered in front of him, rotating slowly.
Matt's grin widened like a kid who'd discovered fire.
"Oh my god," Steve whispered, then louder, "Oh my god! We're literally wizards."
Andrew didn't laugh.
He was watching Matt's concentration. The way his jaw tightened slightly. The way his eyes narrowed.
Like he was studying.
Matt moved his hand.
The Lego bricks floated together, clicking softly as they snapped into place midair.
A wall.
Then another.
A tiny, impossible structure building itself out of nothing.
Steve's mouth fell open.
"That is so sick."
Matt looked proud.
Then his gaze flicked toward Cypriana.
"Your turn."
Cypriana blinked.
"What?"
Matt shrugged, still smiling. "Come on. You lifted the rock yesterday."
Cypriana swallowed.
Yesterday felt like a dream.
Or a mistake.
She reached toward the pile.
Picked out a single Lego piece.
Tiny.
Light.
Easy.
Her fingers curled slightly.
She focused.
Nothing happened.
Steve raised an eyebrow immediately.
"Ooooh."
Cypriana shot him a look.
"I'm doing it."
Matt's smile faltered. "Just concentrate."
"I am concentrating."
She tried again.
Harder.
Her chest tightened, like holding her breath underwater.
The Lego piece…
Trembled.
Barely.
It lifted maybe a centimeter.
Then dropped.
Plastic clicking against plastic.
Steve burst out laughing.
"Oh my god, Cypri. Cheerleading doesn't count as training."
"Shut up."
Matt chuckled too, though softer. "Maybe you're just… rusty."
"It's been one day," she snapped.
Her cheeks burned.
She didn't understand.
She had lifted that rock.
She felt it.
So why did this feel like trying to move something with a broken arm?
Steve leaned forward, grinning like a menace.
"Maybe the universe just doesn't want you to have powers. Tragic."
Cypriana grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Steve dodged easily, laughing.
Andrew spoke for the first time in minutes.
"Stop."
The room paused.
Steve blinked. "What?"
Andrew's voice was quiet, but firm.
"She's not doing it wrong."
Cypriana's eyes flickered to him.
Andrew looked at the Lego piece on the floor.
"She did it yesterday. That means it's there."
Matt frowned slightly. "Then why isn't it working?"
Andrew's gaze sharpened.
"Because it's not about strength."
Steve scoffed. "Bro, you sound like a monk."
Andrew ignored him.
Cypriana stared at the Lego.
Her fingers twitched.
Andrew's voice softened, just barely.
"It's like… letting go. Not forcing."
Cypriana swallowed again.
She didn't know why his words felt different.
Matt cleared his throat.
"Well. We'll figure it out."
Steve clapped his hands suddenly.
"Okay, boring therapy session over. I have something better."
Matt blinked. "What?"
Steve's grin turned wicked.
"I've been practicing."
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "Practicing what?"
Steve stood straighter.
His whole body buzzed with excitement.
"Flying."
Cypriana froze.
Matt laughed like he thought it was a joke.
"No you haven't."
Steve just smirked.
"Come outside."
The backyard was empty.
The sky was pale, afternoon light washing everything soft.
Cypriana stood near the porch, arms folded tightly, nerves twisting in her stomach.
Matt looked skeptical.
Andrew looked like he already knew.
Steve stepped into the grass.
He spread his arms dramatically.
"Ladies and gentlemen…"
Cypriana muttered, "Oh my god."
Steve closed his eyes.
Focused.
For a second—
Nothing.
Then—
His feet lifted off the ground.
Slow.
Smooth.
Matt's jaw dropped.
"No way."
Steve's grin stretched wide as he rose higher.
A few feet.
Then more.
He hovered like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"I am literally," Steve shouted, laughing, "literally a god."
Matt stumbled back, laughing in disbelief.
"This is insane!"
Cypriana's breath came shallow.
Andrew's eyes didn't leave Steve.
Like he was measuring the distance.
Steve floated down, landing lightly.
He pointed at Matt.
"Your turn."
Matt hesitated only a second before stepping forward.
He focused.
His body tensed.
Then—
He rose.
Not as smoothly as Steve.
A wobble.
A curse.
But he was off the ground.
Matt laughed loudly, adrenaline spilling out of him.
"Oh my god—Cypri, look!"
Cypriana couldn't help smiling.
It was beautiful.
Impossible.
Steve clapped like a proud coach.
Andrew stepped forward next.
No announcement.
No joke.
He simply…
Lifted.
Higher than Matt.
Controlled.
Silent.
Cypriana's smile faded slightly.
There was something about the way Andrew flew.
Like it wasn't play.
Like it was relief.
Matt landed, breathless, turning to her.
"Okay," he said, eyes bright. "Your turn."
Cypriana's stomach twisted.
"I don't know if I can."
Steve groaned. "Come onnn."
Cypriana stepped onto the grass anyway.
She closed her eyes.
Focused.
Tried to feel it.
The air.
The invisible hands beneath her feet.
Nothing.
She strained.
Her heart pounded.
Her shoes stayed planted.
Steve muttered, "Yikes."
Cypriana opened her eyes sharply.
"I can do it."
Matt stepped closer, gentler now.
"Hey. It's okay. It's just—"
"I can."
She tried again.
Harder.
Her face heated.
Her breath shook.
Still nothing.
Matt's voice softened.
"Cypri… maybe you just need help."
Andrew spoke quietly from behind them.
"She does."
Matt turned immediately.
"I was gonna teach her."
Andrew's gaze didn't waver.
"I can."
Steve's grin widened like Christmas morning.
"Ohhh my god. This is getting good."
Cypriana stood between them, heart racing for an entirely different reason now.
Matt was warm. Familiar. Safe.
Andrew was…
Something else.
A shadow offering his hand.
Cypriana's throat felt tight.
She looked at Matt.
Then Andrew.
Then back again.
And suddenly the powers weren't the only thing she couldn't control.