[ There’s a split second where Jesse doesn’t think anything of it. The kid says he’s gonna do something scary, and Jesse figures maybe it’s some weird metaphor. He opens his mouth to say something snarky, but then the kid lifts the van. Like, lifts it. Not a jack under the frame. Not a push from behind. He picks it up over his damn head. Jesse just stands there, lips parted, expression blank. Not because he doesn't feel anything, but because his brain has just quietly left the chat. His hands are half-raised like he’d been about to help, only to freeze in place as if his nervous system went into a factory reset. The Chevy hangs in the air like a toy, like gravity forgot its job for a second, and Jesse’s pupils track it the whole way up until it’s back on the pavement.

When the van clunks down and the kid turns around with his eyes glowing like sunshine caught in glass, Jesse staggers a half-step back as if his body finally catches up to the fact that something deeply unnatural just happened. His breath hitches in his throat, his jaw tightens, he tries to swallow but his mouth feels too dry. He doesn’t run, but it’s clear some deep part of him is screaming: That ain’t normal. ]

Yo. [ Another beat. One eye squints. The corner of his mouth twitches. He’s still not sure whether he’s terrified or impressed. Maybe a little of both. ] You, uh...you wanna tell me what the hell you just did? 'Cause I don’t know what protein shake you’ve been chugging, but that was not Gold’s Gym shit. Like, not at all.

[ His tone isn’t angry. It's not hostile. If anything, it's full of a strange, wary awe. Maybe a little excitement. Is this some superhero shit? He glances back at the van, now perfectly parked like it never left the road, then back at the Super Strength Kid or whatever. ]

You an alien, or like...or like some kind of robot?