"Is it already time to go to work?" Derek groaned, rolling over in bed. He tried to get his bearings, blinking as he looked around his cramped bedroom. The poster on his wall was peeling, revealing a patch of dark green paint beneath it. I need a new life, he thought. Here he was, getting older, stuck in the same daily routine. The alarm clock buzzed again, startling him. Ten minutes had already slipped by.
"Oh, it's 6:30 in the morning… just a few more minutes," he muttered. Staying up all night playing video games with his squad hadn't been the best idea, but he knew they needed him, so sleep had taken a back seat.
A firm knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. His roommate, Ken, strode in with a look of mild exasperation. Fair-skinned with blond hair, Ken glanced around, then zeroed in on Derek. "You need to wake up, Derek. You've got an interview today, remember? You can't be late."
"I'm already up," Derek mumbled, rolling himself further into the covers, his hair a mess.
"Yeah, right. You look like you're getting ready to nap, not go to an interview," Ken replied, raising an eyebrow. "You're two months behind rent and quit your last job. I need you to step it up, man."
Derek peeked out from under the covers, giving a sheepish grin. "How long have we known each other, Ken?"
Ken sighed, crossing his arms. "Since seventh grade, but my patience is wearing thin. I have a steady job at the bank, and I need you to level up with me, bro. I can't keep bailing you out. You've got talents, use them to make some cash. The interview's at eight, so get up and get moving. Beat the traffic. And if you nail this, I'll even play that game you're obsessed with tonight. We can celebrate your new job. Sound good?"
Derek hesitated. "You know I've got anxiety, Ken. Interviews give me the heebie-jeebies."
Ken chuckled, softening his tone. "That isn't even a real word."
"It is in my book," Derek said, smiling as he shook off his nerves. "Alright, I'll get up."
"Get up now," Ken insisted, pointing at him. "Or no video games."
"No video games?" Derek sat up, shirtless, rubbing his eyes. "Fine. I'll ace this interview just for you, my dear friend."
"Thank you. That's all I ask," Ken replied, giving him a wink. "See you tonight and pick up some groceries on the way back, alright?"
"I got you," Derek said, waving as Ken turned to leave and closed the door behind him.
Derek stretched and rolled out of bed, the soft fabric of his pajamas brushing against his skin as he shuffled toward the door. The living room is always clean before he goes to work. It's impressive.
"You're a balanced guy, Ken," Derek muttered, rubbing his stomach. But I need to eat something to nail this job interview today.
He headed to the fridge and opened it, his eyes landing on a small cupcake with pink frosting and blue sprinkles. A sticky note stuck to the side read, For my special someone. Derek smirked. It must've been left by someone at work or maybe a girlfriend. He picked it up and inspected the treat. Ignoring the note, he took a bite. The sugary sweetness hit him instantly, and he wandered to the couch, turning on the TV.
The screen was filled with a woman with bright red hair, a sharp suit, and noticeable antennae on her head.
"The recent anti-superhuman protests escalated today," she said. "Attacks on a human university and a supernatural-run bank have drawn public outrage. Tensions remain high between regular humans and deviants…"
Derek sighed and leaned back. "I don't have powers. Never did. I guess that makes me part of the minority these days." He watched as footage rolled of protesters waving signs, blaming deviants for stealing jobs and changing the world order. Thirty years ago, the government's experiments on humans to create super-soldiers had unintended consequences creating entire generations were born with powers, new races, and evolutionary traits.
"Now, you've got to be superhuman to make it big," Derek muttered, shaking his head. "Meanwhile, here I am, just trying to make rent."
The cupcake was finished, and Derek stood up and shuffled to his room. He pulled out a faded blue-and-white shirt from his closet. "This old thing will have to do," he said, giving it a spritz of cologne before tossing it in the dryer to fluff it up. He grabbed a quick shower, careful not to dry his hair too much.
Once clean, he grabbed his outfit, dressed, and laced up his black sneakers. His reflection in the mirror caught his eye. "Not bad, Derek. Not bad at all." He grabbed his tie, adjusted it, and headed out, locking the door with a quick press of the sensor pad.
The sun was out, the day warm, and the streets of Demetropolis were buzzing. Food carts lined the sidewalks, filling the air with the smell of roasted sausages and freshly brewed coffee. Derek briskly walked, dodging a crowd of humans and deviants of all shapes and sizes a pink-skinned woman with antennas called out to him from her coffee cart.
"Hey, Derek. The usual?"
"You're a lifesaver, Tabitha."
She handed him the coffee, her cheeks flushing green a sign of happiness for her race. "You better not spill that on the way to your interview," she teased.
"You know me," Derek said, grinning. "Always a gentleman. But I'm serious about a dance. Tonight, after I land this job."
Tabitha smirked. "Get the job first, Romeo."
Coffee in hand, Derek jogged to the subway, feeling unexpectedly energized. "Must've been that cupcake," he muttered, tightening the coffee lid. At the turnstile, he scanned his near-expiring subway pass and squeezed into the crowded train.
The train ride was a mix of monotony and tension. Humans whispered complaints about their deviant counterparts. "How are we supposed to compete?" one man muttered. "They're faster, stronger, smarter… We're being left behind." Derek glanced at a towering, muscle-bound deviant taking up two seats across the aisle. The man's words stung.
But Derek shook off the negativity. "I'll find my way," he thought. As the train reached Stop 20, he hustled out, taking a moment to adjust his tie. Malcolm Enterprises wasn't far now I was a sleek building in the heart of the tech district. Robots zipped across the streets, fixing potholes, sweeping sidewalks, and performing other mundane tasks. Derek marveled at the bustling efficiency. "Let's do this."
Derek's first impressions of the bustling tech district were a mix of awe and intimidation. Towering skyscrapers of gleaming metal and glass stretched high into the sky, casting long shadows across the clean streets. The Malcolm Corporation's building was unmistakable its sleek design with glowing blue veins of light running through its facade.
Taking a deep breath, Derek straightened his tie and adjusted his blazer. His palms were damp, and the faint aroma of the cupcake still lingered in his senses, oddly comforting. He approached the automatic glass doors, which slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a pristine lobby filled with holographic displays.
A friendly robotic receptionist greeted him with a programmed smile.
"Welcome to Malcolm Enterprises. How may I assist you today?"
Derek cleared his throat, trying to appear confident. "I have an interview scheduled for 10:30 with Mr. Bannister."
"One moment, please." The robot scanned him with a light beam before nodding. "You're cleared. Please proceed to elevator C. Floor 27."
"Thanks," Derek muttered, glancing at his watch with five minutes to spare.
The elevator ride was smooth and silent, except for the faint hum of its advanced mechanisms. Derek found himself staring at his reflection in the polished metal walls. His nerves crept in as he adjusted his hair one last time.
When the doors opened, he was greeted by a modern office floor filled with natural light. Employees of all races and backgrounds, including some deviants, were hard at work in ergonomic pods. Transparent walls showed meeting rooms with floating monitors and augmented reality charts.
A receptionist directed him to a waiting area near a corner office. Derek sat down, trying to focus on his breathing as his eyes wandered to a live news feed playing on a nearby holo-screen. The familiar topic of anti-superhero protests dominated the headlines. The divide between "regular" humans and evolved beings was a hot issue everywhere.
"Mr. Henry?" A crisp voice interrupted his thoughts. Derek looked up to see a sharply dressed man with angular features and an air of authority. His tailored suit practically screamed success.
"Yes, that's me," Derek replied, raising a hand quickly.
"I'm Mr. Bannister. Ken told me about you. Follow me." The man's grip was firm but quick, and he turned sharply, leading Derek into his glass-walled office.
The interview began with standard questions, but Derek quickly noticed how Bannister's sharp eyes seemed to analyze his every move. He answered as best as possible, drawing from his limited experience but emphasizing his determination and willingness to learn.
As the interview progressed, Bannister leaned back in his chair. "You have an interesting background, Derek. However, this company operates at the cutting edge of technology and cultural shifts. We thrive on adaptability and foresight. What makes you believe you're a good fit for Malcolm Enterprises?"
Derek hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I may not have the most glamorous resume, but I understand the value of hard work and perseverance. I've had to adapt my whole life to a rapidly changing world. Those experiences give me a unique perspective and the drive to excel in any environment."
Bannister raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Interesting. One last question what are your thoughts on the current divide between humans and evolved beings?"
The question caught Derek off guard, but he kept his composure. "I think it's... complicated. Change always brings tension, but I believe diversity is strength. Whether someone has powers or not, it's about what they do with what they've been given. Everyone deserves a chance to prove their worth."
Bannister studied him for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fair answer. Thank you, Derek. We'll be in touch soon."
The handshake at the end felt both promising and ambiguous. As Derek exited the building, his heart raced with hope and uncertainty. He glanced at the sky, where drones buzzed like mechanical bees against the backdrop of the futuristic cityscape.