'Werr u??'

'Uh.Home, y? u ok?'

'ye!! Party @ dianes!! ur l8!'

'o. be rite there'

Jason rolled his eyes as he tossed his phone onto the bed beside him, uttering a disgusted noise as he levered himself up off the blissful, cosy embrace of his beloved bed. It was just like Mike to forget to tell him about a party and then tell him he was late to something that he didn't even know he was supposed to be at. But, it was like he had anything better to do tonight, and there was something to be said about being fashionably late. And he did so love his dramatic entrances...

But first! He had to dress for the occasion. Or at least do something with his hair. While he would usually utilise his speed to get ready quicker than most folk could blink, some things just couldn't be rushed. And perfection was one of them. So, it was only after much thoughtful perusing of his wardrobe and a great deal of him standing there going, "Hmm..." as he flicked between one shirt and the other, that he decided the was about ready to do. He paused before the full-length mirror to admire himself, striking a pose as he ran a critical eye over his attire. Nice sneakers, white. Jeans tailored to fit him just right, faded and artfully torn at the most ideal locations. A dark blue, form-fitting tee-shirt that clung to him in all the right place, accented by the red hooded zip-up top he so adored. To finish the look off he had a leather wristwrap and two on his right forearm, and all in all, the entire look came together in a very flattering way indeed. Man, but he was so good at this. He flashed himself a cocky grin, winked, and was gone in a flicker of red lightning that left a gust of wind swirling in his wake.

A few heartbeats later he appeared over Diane's house, a respectable four-bedroom house in one of the more middle-ground neighbourhoods. One might think that it would be hard to spot the right house out of dozens of rows of identical ones, but Impact didn't need super senses to note the pulsating lights, and he could hear the faint bass of the music even all the way up there. He gave a soft chuff of amusement and descended, wrapping himself in a coruscating aura of vivid red lightning as he sped down in a blur, slowing only just enough to not plow through the street entirely. As it was, he landed in the classic superhero fashion, one-knee down and with the knuckles of his right fist pressing upon the now-shattered tarmac, to a chorus of squeals and screams of shock and delight. Everyone knew what the red lightning meant and, after all, he was a celebrity. Who wouldn't want to say they were at a party with Impact?

Turning on his best, lopsided grin that bared just the right amount of teeth, he flicked a few of the more appealing girls a wink as Mike walked up, clutching his head as the bestubbled youth let out an exultant, "Yooo! My man, Impact, that was sweet! Welcome to the party, man! How come you're late, didn't you get the invite? I told one of Diane's friends to send one your way, man!"

"Nope. Never got one, Mike, sorry bro. Don't sweat it, though, I'm here, now the party can really start, am I right?", Impact replied , slapping Mike on the shoulder affectionately as they made their way to the doorway, people trailing in their wake, phones flashing as the photos and selfies began in earnest.

NOVA