After the celebrations I made my way towards the stands. It was easy spotting my mother as she was accompanied by my half-brother Peter Maximoff. That’s right quicksilver of THE X-MEN is my half-brother. His all silver getup made him easy to spot. He was wearing a silver baseball cap and silver glasses to disguise his identity. I don’t know why though not much is known about the X-men other than the fact that they saved the world a few times and that their leaders are Jean Grey, Charles Xavier and Raven. The faces for mutant kind everywhere.

“hey bro, any news from Wanda?” I couldn’t help asking Peter about Wanda after all she was one of the Avengers which were now officially war criminals. Even though she barley talks to me I couldn’t help worrying about what Peter is going through.

Before Peter could reply my mother said “Richard show respect and address quicksilver by his mutant name. Inferior being like us should know our place” yes she did just say that. My mother is obsessed with mutants. While hanging around meetings for The Brotherhood she met my father Magneto.

Apparently they hit it off and she was lucky enough to get an unforgettable one-night stand and me.

The last part didn’t go to well with peter and Wanda’s mom so she left with her kids remarried and got blown to hell by one of tony starks missiles. Which is why I don’t speak much with Wanda. She blames my mother for destroying their lives and apparently so does Magneto. Which is why he told my mother he would only marry her if I gained an amazing mutant ability. Talk about pressure.

Peter cringed at my mother’s words “ha-ha like I said before you don’t have to do that, that was an amazing performance Richard. We’re so proud of you”

“yes, I’m amazed at how much you’ve changed this past year. Maybe this means your abilities are about to develop?” she gave Peter a hopeful look. Peter must have seen me clench my fist because he quickly nodded and made a gesture for us to leave

“yah. Maybe. Anyway we should get going, I’m sure Richard has an epic after party to attend”

“YES! I mean yes I do have a party to attend but thanks you both for the support” I really meant it. If Peter hadn’t said, he was coming I doubt my mother would have come to watch such a mundane ‘human’ event. She didn’t even care when I was announced homecoming King last year.

“you can use the car peter promised to tell me about how your father is and what he has been doing in the last few months. He even offered to carry me home.” so that’s how he got her to come and watch. Well played quicksilver well played.

I left mom fawning over quicksilver and made my way to my Ford Raptor. A gift from dad which I got on my 16th birthday. I guess it was his way of making amends before I got my powers if I ever get them.

“Man of the hour. Any longer and I would have left you behind.” that sweet voice sent shivers down my spine and awoke the butterflies in my stomach. It belonged to my best friend and the girl I loved Michelle Jones or MJ for short.

“hohoho do you know who you’re talking to. Homecoming king of 2016!” I couldn’t stop myself from blushing when she smirked at me. Everyone has been waiting for me to get abilities when I hit puberty but something else evolved. I feelings towards my childhood friend, the only person who knows all my secrets.

“let me guess quicksilvers not joining us today.” her know it all vibe and personality used to irk me but now it just makes her mysterious unknown scary.

“DICK!” her sudden shout brought me to my senses, I couldn’t resist staring at my crotch to make sure she meant Dick as in a nickname for Richard and not my junk hanging out my zipper.

“you zoned out again. I swear you’re such a creeper. I said will quicksilver be joining us on our night of debauchery” MJ said while making her way to the passenger door.

“nope he won’t. He took a bullet for me. So he’s going to be with my mom this evening telling her about Magneto.”

“cool. I kind of guessed that was the case. Now let’s hurry up the parties waiting” it’s so strange seeing MJ this excited for a party should I ask her why? Fuck it just go with the flow.

I started the car turned up the music on my speakers and sped into the out of the stadium parking lot and onto the freeway.

MJ and I talked about whatever was on our minds until we made it to the party.

“here we are. Ok say what you want about Flash Thompsons personality but his parties make up for every single flaw” as I said this MJ whistled at the sight of crazy drunken teens running around half naked in the front lawn.

Dance music was blasting in the background and bright flashing multicolored lights where shining from the inside of the house.

“is this going to be a UV light party?” MJ asked while staring at something in the distance

“no” I replied curious as to why she asked such a random question

“then why are they covered in glow in the dark paint?” she pointed at three guys from my team covered in paint and downing vodka bottles like they contained water.

“...” for the first time in a while I had no response for MJ.

As we got into the house we were greeted by the sight of half dead drunks using dancing as an excuse to dry hump the shit out of each other.

“nice. Real classy” MJ sounded offended for some reason

“it’s because you’re still sober, time to join the dark side young padawon” shit I hope I don’t sound like I’m trying to get her drunk and ‘young padawon’ shit. I never even watched Star Wars, just hope the reference works.

“hmm. Ok maybe I’ll try things your way just this once” she said while giving me that amazingly bright smile.

“MJ is that you?” just as things were going well we got interrupted by the most annoying guys I know. PETER PARKER, the only guy smart enough to beat me in every academic subject or club possible.

“PETER! You actually came to this thing.” MJ said while giving him a hug.

A hug. A FREAKING HUG. MJ never hugs people apart from me. And what’s up with her voice it totally went up an octave. And that smile. I’ve never seen that smile before, what is going on!

“I’m here too” Ned Leeds. What the fuck for a guy that big how did I not notice he was right beside Peter. MJ seemed surprised too. Maybe Ned has an invisibility ability?

“Hey Ned. Sorry didn’t see you there. So Peter you’re here!” MJ said while looking cute as ever. I haven’t seen this side of MJ. I don’t like this. I have to stop this now.

“Parker.” I tried to sound as neutral as possible

“Rider” he responded in the same tone. Oh he knows what’s going on. He wants to pop of here and now fine.

“Didn’t think I would see a bookworm like you at a party this sick. don’t you have problems leaving a beautiful lady like your aunt at home alone, no uncle Ben to protect her” fuck, that was weak but whatever.

MJ was speechless, not a good sign. Ned looked furious but I couldn’t care less its Peter who I wanted. Peter clenched his Jaw and I saw his fists close. Yes. You might have beaten me in school but no way you can take me in a fight. Bring it!

“funny you should say that, he died protecting both of us. Your moms single too where’s your dad?” Peter spoke while holding back his emotions.

Fuck you! You didn’t take the bait but I’m not backing down after that comment. My father protects all of mutant kind. He’s MAGNETO you fucker and the day I get my powers and join him you’ll be way too scared to even be in the same room as me.

I balled up my fist and swung, nothing. I hit nothing but air. He moved out of the way just in time. Huh. Lucky but I know to follow through. I kept swinging and strangely enough he kept dodging. Maybe he has good reflexes. Fuck it I’ll grab him and grapple. I went for the tackle but dove right into Peters kick. FUCK. I WAS BLOWN AWAY!

I looked up he kicked me right across the room. Everyone seemed way too out of it to notice but I knew right then and there he was an enhanced, a Mutant. The superior lifeform my mother raised me to become. The same type she praised.

I couldn’t hold in my anger. He had what I wanted. More than MJ more than happiness more than life he had what I craved. Power. I went berserk, I rushed him pushing everyone and anyone out of my way. Right before I could get to him I was sucker punched.

How did he hit me? Was it my blind spot? Telekinesis? Ned maybe? What was it. As soon as I looked up I realized what had happened. MJ. She had hit me. fuck. I couldn’t take this.

“fuck! Parker and Jones just took out Rider. talk about a threesome I’ll never forget. Hahaha” Flash Thompsons voice boomed over the speakers and suddenly all eyes were on me.

I tried to stand up but my legs were jelly. I looked like a shaky fawn trying to take its first steps.

I ran out the house but tripped on my way to the car.

“HEY RICHARD RIDER, WAIT I MEANT DICK RIDER ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN STIL DRIVE?” fucking Ned took advantage of the moment to point out the obvious fault in my name. I would have been pissed but I had to admit people have always thought about it but never said it because I was at the top of the food chain. Was.

“DICK RIDER DICK RIDER DICK RIDER!” the crowd was hysteric.

[AUTHORS NOTE: NOVA’s real name is Richard Rider. His parents chose… poorly]

Fuuuck me. guess thinking of myself as a superior being didn’t win me any real friends

“SHUT UP YOU ASSHOLES” at least MJ’S standing up for me.

I stood up, got inside my car and drove off into the night.as I drove around town looked down at my phone to check the time.

“Fuck it’s still 10pm what am I going to do tonight” I spoke the words out loud to myself.

“EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY” shouted a voice coming from right beside me.

“WHATTHEFUCK!” I swerved the car right of the road and into the woods. The first tree stump flipped my car, I flew through the windshield and right before I blacked out my thoughts weren’t about what that voice was but instead why the fuck did I have to die the same night people changed my title from homecoming king to dick rider.