Walking down the halls of his school, Ryaan has extra pep in his step today. Failing his vigilante test could have destroyed his confidence but after taking down the two jerks who inspired him to take it in the first place, saving a girl in the process, on his way home from that failure, he believes more than ever that he’s meant to do this.

Heading to auto shop, he sees her at the end of the hall. Mina’s two years younger than him and entered high school just this year. She’s been friends with Ryaan’s sister Nadia for as long as he can remember, though they’ve grown apart in the last year. That’s probably down to Mina entering high school while Nadia’s still a year away. Saving her from a couple of awful excuses for vigilantes called the Goggle Guys showed him that he doesn’t need a certificate to protect his neighborhood.

Ever since the Vigilantes Making Us Safe Act (VMUS) passed the Goggle Guys have been making life hard for anyone in his neighborhood who doesn’t look like them. They’re the main reason Ryaan decided to become a vigilante. He tried to stop them from harassing a family he knows a few days earlier and they paid him back by beating the hell out of him and leaving him bleeding in the rain.

Mina’s the only person who knows Ryaan decided to become a vigilante. After saving her he had to reveal himself to stop her from shooting him. He didn’t really think through what a terrified teenager would do if a masked man with throwing knives jumped out at her. He’s nervous to have anyone know his secret but he hopes he can trust her. Mina has always seemed like a smart girl and it’ll probably be fine. He only really knows her as his little sister’s friend though. Knowing she could blow his life up makes him feel vulnerable but he can’t show it. She seems grateful for the assist. She’s even agreed to help make him a new costume.

Passing each other in the hallway, Mina’s eyes follow Ryaan and she grins at him but she doesn’t say anything. He awkwardly smiles back. He’s been in the same school as her for half a year now and he’s barely given her a second thought. Now he can’t pass her in the hall without picking her out of a crowd. Ryaan’s basketball teammate Jesse sneaks up on him and slaps him hard on the back. “Got a thing for the young one man?”

Jumping, Ryaan gives him a look of contempt. “No way man, she’s just a friend of my little sister. Nothing like that.”

“Sure man, whatever you say. You’re not the first upperclassman to be into a freshman. Don’t worry about it. You’re a hero right now after making that shot last week. That sort of thing doesn’t last forever. You need to strike while it’s still news.”

Jesse’s wrong. The shot’s already old news. “So, did you study for the history test tomorrow?”

“Don’t be like that man. You haven’t gone out with anyone as long as I’ve known you. If you want that girl you should go after her. Ask her to Macy’s party next week.”

Ryaan crosses his arms and starts to walk away. “It’s not like that man, I already told you. I’m not even going to that party and I know her parents well enough to know there’s no way they’d let her go. She’s just my little sister’s friend. That’s all.”

Laughing, Jesse follows him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “All right man, if you say so. I have to get to math, I’ll see you later.” He starts to head off before turning around and saying, “Oh, by the way, bunch of guys on the team are trying to get a regular pickup game together to get ready for next season. I’ll text you when I know the details.”

With that Jesse’s gone. Ryaan’s glad to see him go. He’s a good guy and a good teammate but Ryaan has always been shy with girls and he doesn’t really like being given a hard time about it. Looking at the time, he realizes he’s running late and hurries toward class.