Friday evening after classes let out, Devon changed quickly in the track lockers before his training run. He preferred the quiet campus track to drill his speed and technique. Popping open his locker door, something fluttered out to land by his sneakers.

"Huh?" Bending down, Devon picked up a glossy black card with shiny silver foil letters reading 'Cain's Crib - Celebrate in Style!' Below was an address in the upscale Pemberton Hills. Turning it over, Devon realized it was an invitation to the exclusive mansion gathering tonight.

"For real, he trying to recruit me personally now too?" Devon muttered. This persistent peer pressure was annoying. Crumpling the invite irritably, he was about to lob it in the trash when something made him pause. Perhaps it would be wise to at least scope the function out and make sure nobody he cared about got into trouble there.

Devon was halfway through his workout lap of the track, cleats pounding rhythmically on the red rubber surface when he glimpsed a familiar cheerful face waving eagerly nearby. Mei Wen.

Slowing to a cool-down jog, Devon waved back and grabbed his towel and water bottle before altering course to walk over. "Hey Mei, you good? How come yuh still around campus so late?"

"Oh hi Devon! Nothing much, just waiting for Gabriela to finish some club meeting," Mei explained, brightening up seeing him. She did a playful twirl, showing off a stylish green dress. "Thought I would enjoy the nice weather. Campus looks so peaceful like this."

Devon smiled, taking a swig of water. "Yeah, it really freshens the mind, coming here before the streets get too noisy." He shook his wrist coolingly, droplets spraying. "Helps me focus when training too."

"I can tell! You are always so diligent," Mei said admiringly. She glanced over at the track. "Is that a hobby or are you hoping to go professional?"

Chuckling, Devon looked down humbly. "I mean, I try my best out there. But what youth doesn't dream big?" He quickly shifted subjects. "Anyway, how yuh holding up? I feel we hardly chat since..."

Since registering her hero name and crafting her costume, he meant to say. But Mei's eyes lit up eagerly. "Oh, I'm doing great! Still can't believe I get to train at the PTC whenever. It's so..." she fished for the right word.

"Empowering?" Devon suggested. When Mei nodded enthusiastically, he went on. "Yeah, I heard great things about the mentors. Happy yuh found a good outlet there." And intrigued to see her using noodle powers someday, he thought privately.

They stood chatting until Gabriela finally emerged from the main building and came over to greet Devon as well. "You two seem to bump into each other a lot," she teased Mei with a knowing look.

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"Well, campus is only so big," Mei responded lightly, though her cheeks coloured a bit. She quickly changed subjects. "Are you going to Cain's big party tonight, Devon?"

The question surprised him. "Uh, I wasn't really planning to," Devon admitted. "The way people hype it up, I'm sure it will be wild though."

"A bunch of us girls are stopping by just to show face," Gabriela chimed in. "You should join! I heard they have champagne towers. Real celeb style."

Devon hesitated, thrown off by the invitation. Glancing at Mei, she also gave an encouraging nod and smile. "We'd love to have you there, Devon. I'm sure more teammates are going too."

Wrapped up in the excitement of their pitching, Devon found himself saying "Well, maybe I could roll through just to check out the vibe." He laughed self-consciously. "Peer pressure is real, can't lie."

"Yay, that's the spirit!" Gabriela cheered. Mei looked equally thrilled that he had agreed.

They parted ways, Mei calling out "See you tonight Devon!" as the girls headed off. Devon watched them go with mixed feelings swirling. He still thought Cain's flashy gatherings pretentious. But the chance to hang out with Mei and her friends motivated him.

Shaking his head wryly, Devon finished up his solo training session but with less focus. When it came to that fascinating new girl, his logic faltered. She seemed to exert her own subtle forces like Coco magnetism. He would just have to play things smooth and safe tonight.

After a hearty home-cooked dinner, Devon bid his mom goodnight earlier than usual. "Yuh off to bed already?" Norissa asked in surprise. "And here I had baking plans for us."

"Sorry Mama, early track meet tomorrow across the parish," Devon lied. At her sceptical look, he added, "But save me some of your tasty coconut cake for when mi return!"

He felt a twinge of guilt pretending everything was normal. But Norissa simply kissed his forehead before shooing him off. "Alright. Rest well and do yuh best at that meet."

Safely in his bedroom, Devon changed into bland clothes and pulled up the black hoodie. He didn't need anyone identifying him by his signature locks at the party before he got a chance to scope out the scene. Hopefully, just a brief appearance tonight would satisfy the peer hype.

Checking the clock, Devon saw it was nearing 11 PM. That meant the mansion function should be well underway. Most parents would be asleep by now with no clue of their kids' late-night antics. Time to see what the buzz was about.

Slipping silently out the back door, Devon jogged a safe distance before finding some discreet bushes. After ensuring nobody else was nearby, he took a huge breath. The instant brain-buzzing effects of Hyper Rush kicked in. Devon could move leisurely while the outside world remained frozen.

One drawback of breath-holding rushes - they used immense energy that quickly drained his Coco cells compared to his lashing dreadlock currents that were more conserving. Devon speed-trotted along the gridlocked streets easily navigating around inert vehicles and people paused mid-motion. Everything was eerily still except for the pounding of his own elevated heart rate.

In just a few quick seconds, Devon had traversed the miles into lush Pemberton Hills where larger luxury homes rose amidst hilly rainforest. The silvery address numbers on Cain's gate were a beacon. Music could already be heard thumping from within the sprawling property.

Finding a secluded spot to gulp fresh air and release the time freeze, Devon approached the gates casually on foot now. He blended easily with dozens of other teens converging excitedly towards the pulsing lights and festivities.

Security guards observed politely, checking names against a registry without much scrutiny. Clearly, Cain wanted bodies filling his huge home, reputation or otherwise. Devon received a cool wristband and slipped inconspicuously into the social madness.