I wish I had a better origin story about how I became a superhero. But it just kinda sorta happened one day. I was kicking the soccer ball around with my friends in my backyard. Cooper kicked the ball too hard and it ended up rolling onto the street. I know I should've looked both ways but I didn't. Instead I raced onto the street to retrieve the ball. The last thing I remember was a blue car coming to a screeching halt as the driver furiously honked the horn at me. That's when it happened.

I was certain that I would be hit by the car but instead I leaped up into the sky. And I didn't only jump a couple of feet. I was so far up in the sky that everyone looked like ants below. Until that moment I had never displayed any type of superpowers. I was a regular  9 year old kid from Hackensack, New Jersey. There was nothing spectacular about me. Besides, superheroes only existed in comic books, movies, and TV shows. Or did they?

When I landed I was expecting a hero's welcome from my friends. How lucky were they to have an actual superhero as a best friend. "That was so awesome. Right guys?" I boasted. "That's not normal. You're a freak!" my friend Piero said. "What do you mean? I'm a superhero. Didn't you see what I did there?" 'Uh, superheroes aren't real ya know? See you later. Maybe" Cooper nervously remarked before they both ran off. What a weird reaction. I thought they'd be impressed. They're probably just jealous.

If my friends weren't impressed by my new-found superpowers, I knew that my Mom would be amazed by her special little boy. "Robbie? What have you done?" "What do you mean Mom?" "That little flying stunt of yours has been shown on TV all afternoon." "Neat! I'm famous!" "I think there's something wrong with you. I'm taking you to the doctor's office to get checked out." "For what? I'm a superhero now." "No you're not. Superheroes are fictional. You're my son and there's something very wrong with you."

"What's your diagnosis Doctor?" "Well Robbie's blood work seems fine but we'd like to keep him overnight for observation" the doctor replied. "But I'm a superhero!" I shouted. "Apparently he seems to be suffering from some sort of delusions as well. If you don't mind me asking, is everything okay at home?" "Robbie's Dad and I are currently separated. Do you think he might be acting out?" "It's possible. Perhaps he may need a prescription to get him back on track and feeling like himself again."

"Okay dear, you be a brave little boy. I'm going home to get your pajamas and toothbrush and I'll be right back." "I don't belong here. The world needs me." "You need to get some rest. You'll be able to think more clearly tomorrow after a good night's sleep." After my Mom left I wandered down the hall where a group of nurses sat glued to a breaking news story on TV.  "This is a BEN Special Report. Russian Bots have invaded our country." I ran back to my room before any of the nurses saw me.

"Okay Robbie, it's time to take your temperature" one of the nurses said. "Robbie? Where did he go?" I flew out the window of my hospital room as I prepared to do battle with the deadly Russian Bots from the newscast. "This is such a superhero move. If this doesn't convince everyone that I have special powers then nothing will." I zeroed in on the rampaging robots and in one fell swoop was able to destroy them all. I stood there and waited for the accolades.

"What are you doing here kid? This is a war zone!" The General yelled. "But I crushed the robots in mere seconds. I'm a hero. I saved the day. I should get a medal at least." "You made the military look foolish. We can't have civilians risking their lives to battle foreign robot invaders." "But I'm a superhero!" "Superheroes aren't real kid. I don't know what happened here but you're going to be in a lot of trouble." Not wanting to be detained by the military, I rocketed away from the scene of the battle.