[ WP ] Every person in the world develops a weird mutation/power the day they turn 16 . Everyone 's powers are always different , some more insignificant than others . You turn 16 , and watch as all your friends discover their newfound ability 's . That is , until you discover the severity of your own .

The first few hours of that day were cool as all hell. Me and the other 15 kids that had been born on the 17th of July were in the community center to see what powers we ended up with. 
 
 In the early years of the powers boom, when some kid in Illinois got a fire power and burned himself to death, it was decided that everyone should be in a mutually safe place on their 16th birthday. 
 
 So there we were, all excited about what we'd get. Johnny was the first to pop. He flew into the air about 5 feet and there were sparks under his shoes. He tried to rise higher, but he could only get another foot, and that was causing a strain. The councilor told him not to worry. He said a lot of powers take time to fully kick in. 
 
 Benny found out he could see through walls. It was weird to realize that in the 15 years since people started popping up with powers, that one had never come around. 
 
 Some other kids that we did n't really know started reporting their own things emerging. Janey started talking all excited. `` I'm starting to feel that tingle I've heard about. When you know it's coming, but it's not quite here yet. I wonder what my power is gon na be!'' 
 
 `` You're gon na be able to turn you hands into metal and back into normal hands.'' I said. She looked at me funny, and I started to wonder why I'd said that. When her hands started to turn a dull gray, and then to shine we both looked at each other in shock. 
 
 `` How'd you figure that out?'' Matty asked me. 
 
 I turned to him. `` I dunno, it just popped into my head, sorta like the way I know that you're gon na be able to make balloons appear outta nowhere.'' 
 
 `` That would be hilarious.'' Johnny said. I looked over at him and my heart sank. All of a sudden I realized that in 5 years he was gon na get hit by a truck when he floated off the ground near and over pass and got caught in a strong gust of wind. The wind would blow him by the over pass, then past it and he'd fall down to five feet about the road right as a semi was passing by. 
 
 `` No seriously Brian. How'd you know my hands would turn to metal.'' I looked at Janey, and realized that her first daughter was going to die of lead poisoning and I froze. 
 
 She walked over to me. `` Are you okay?'' I shook my head. 
 
 `` Maybe, like...'' Benny chimed in with his usual slowness. He had a habit of talking slow when he got excited. His mind kind of over loaded and the words sort of got stuck in a traffic jam in his throat. ``... ya know. That's his power. Like maybe Brian can know what other people's powers are.'' 
 
 Matty snapped. `` That would fucking suck if he's right about me.'' 
 
 Johnny got a ponderous look on his face. `` Let's test this out. That guy in the group over by the soda machine. He was talking to a councilor. What's his power?'' 
 
 I looked at him and realized immediately that he could warm things up with his hands. Not super hot, just warm. I told Johnny and he walked over and asked the kid. He came back over `` Holy crap. You're right dude.'' 
 
 Izzy spoke up then. `` What about me? What can I do?'' 
 
 I looked at her. `` You'll read people's minds. But it'll only work when you're singing and you'll be singing about what they're thinking.'' 
 
 I was relieved that I was n't seeing any more visions of death. Maybe that had been a fluke, or a stray thought or something. 
 
 An hour later, Izzy started singing. `` This is such bullshit. There's not fucking way I'm gon na have some lame ass balloon power. Brian's got ta be fuckin with me. If he were n't so cute I'd kick his ass, but it's such a hot ass and oh goddamn it. Is that bitch singing my'' 
 
 `` KNOCK THAT SHIT OFF IZZY!'' Matty's face was red. 
 
 Izzy snapped out of a trancey state. Matty's face kept getting redder. Suddenly a red balloon appeared in the space between him and Izzy. 
 
 The tense silence was broken by the sound of me vomiting on the floor. I ran to the bathroom. I turned on the facet on the first sink that came to hand and started drinking water and puking it into the sink. Then I started splashing it in my face. 
 
 After awhile Johnny and Matty came in. `` Are you o'' 
 
 `` No. I'm not okay.'' 
 
 Matty spoke up then. `` This is n't about what Izzy was sing is it? I mean the thing about me thinking about you and...'' 
 
 I shook my head. `` Naw. Not... directly. In fact, I'm kind of flattered if that's what you were really thinking and Izzy was n't just joking around. It's...'' I could bear to tell them the truth so I fudged it. `` Something feels weird when a person's powers kick in after I've seen what it'll be. I do n't think I noticed with Janey because it was so quick. With you and Izzy though, there was a delay and then it was back to back. I just got really nauseous all of a sudden.'' 
 
 They nodded looking a little bit relieved. Johnny said `` I'll go let the girls know you're okay. I think Izzy's more worried than Janey, but they're both concerned.'' 
 
 When he was gone Matty and I looked at each other for awhile. He finally broke the silence. `` So... just so you know. The things Izzy was singing... she was n't making nothing up. I mean... if you're not into guys that's cool and all but...'' 
 
 I smiled weakly at him. `` I've... always been kinda... I dunno. Like, curious seems such a cliche, but... I dunno wan na thing about it right now. I mean I'm certainly not looking my best or anything. Maybe this weekend though, if you wan na hang out and talk or something.'' 
 
 Matty nodded. `` Yeah. I'd like that. You want a sprite or somethin? That usually helps me out when I've blown chunks.'' 
 
 `` yeah. A gingerale would be nice. If not, sprite works. I'm gon na take a moment to finishing rinsing off and I'll meet you out there.'' 
 
 As Matty walked out of the bathroom, I could still see it if I looked for it. It's hard to describe looking at it, because it's not a physical thing. It's like, seeing a memory sorta. That's still not a good way of putting it, but I ca n't think of words to define it. Either way, I could still see that moment in his future. Matty living in NYC, desperate for money to pay off gambling debts and get some more coke. Matty thinking about his next fix and not getting his legs broken as he looks at a guy in an expensive suit outside of a swanky night club and started forming a balloon in his throat. 
 
 There were other `` future memories'' behind that one. They were cloudier and harder to see, but very similar to the first one. Matty thinking of another fix, or another debt paid while a balloon appeared inside of someone's body. 
 
 I wondered desperately if there was a way to change any of this. After splashing more water in my face, I looked in the mirror and then it hit me. I knew how I was going to die. 30 years from now I was sitting in a bath tub slitting my wrist because I was so tired of seeing death and not being able to stop it. All the people I'd helped figure out their powers. The parents with children who'd have dangerous abilities and would have that heads up would never be enough. For ever 5 people I'd help, at least 1 or 2 of them would have some death in the future that came directly or indirectly from their powers and nothing I ever tried would prevent it. 
 
 After getting a phone call from Johnny and hearing that Matty had died of an overdose and that there was a rumor that he did himself because the cops were accusing him of murder... it would be too much. 
 
 I stood there staring into the mirror for I do n't know how long. Matty came back in with a couple of sodas. `` You been in here a long time. You feeling any better?'' 
 
 ``... Y'know what? Instead of waiting for the weekend, what if I gave you an answer now?'' 
 
 Matty raised an eyebrow at me. 
 
 I walked over to him and put my arms around him. `` Yeah. I am into guys.'' 
 
 Fate be damned. I was gon na try. Fuck death. I'll fight it with love.
