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As soon as Chris took a breath, his door opened with a loud crack, revealing a glimpse of his new girlfriend.

- We're going drinking! - Without ceremony to explain why, Jessica took two steps closer to him and dragged him behind her.

- ... okay.

Chris didn't understand Jessica's sudden shift in priorities. I mean, she liked to drink, but to take a new "friend" with her at once? Especially after such an unpleasant incident as a panic attack? Or maybe it was because of this attack Jessica decided to take Chris away from his gloomy thoughts? Chris didn't know the exact answer to that question, but....

It felt good.

I mean, someone actually called him to a "party"! Yeah the last time that had happened...

Actually, Chris can't remember the last time that happened. But even if he's not much of a drinker, he's still all for it.

- By the way, - Chris looked around the almost empty bus with doubt - it's almost midnight. - Where are we going?

- To Hell's Kitchen, - Jessica looked away from her flask for a second, and then continued the "banquet" again. Yes, Jessica decided to start drinking not even on the bus, but before she even left the house. So, typical Jessica.

- Why? - Chris wouldn't stop.

- Let's go. To drink. - Annoyed, Jessica snickered.

Hell's Kitchen. A neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan that was one of the two most crime-ridden and dangerous places in New York, along with Chris's hometown of Harlem. Unlike Harlem, Hell's Kitchen is more of a "folk" nickname, in fact the official name of the neighborhood is Clinton and Midtown West.

This place is known for its high density of restaurants and various eateries, ninety percent of the time gang-owned. But unlike black Harlem, there were gangs for all occasions.

Harlem and Hell's Kitchen didn't like each other. Sometimes, of course, they worked together, because "professional activity" limited the list of possible partners, but gang wars happened with enviable regularity.

And for Chris, a Harlem native, albeit a white one, the place was uncomfortable.

- No way... - Chris shot a secretly hopeful glance at Jessica, sadly trying to squeeze a drop out of the "already" empty whiskey flask. - You like me and now we're going on a date?! That stupid excuse you made with Mr. Kramer struck me as suspicious right away.....

Chris immediately extinguished the fountain of imagination. It was just that Jessica looked at him with such a condescending gaze that he immediately felt like a silly and absurd hamster.....

- Chris, you're cute," Jessica smiled wryly. - But not the 'I'll spread my legs for you' kind of cute, but the 'honey, go frenzone for the rest of your life' kind of cute.

- Thanks, Jessica," Chris scratched his eyebrow irritably. - You know how to cheer up ...

- It's an age thing, Chris," Jessica shrugged. - So far you stink of poverty and virginity. Neither of which girls always like ...

- I've got a new idea," Chris gritted his teeth.

- The one that says, "I'm going to be really, really rich soon"? - Jessica raised an eyebrow as she got off the bus with him.

- They're not idle ideas! - Chris exploded. - Sooner or later I'll come up with my own Internet business that will make me a real billionaire!

"Aww, my little Mark Zuckerberg," Jessica cooed, leading Chris along. "So what's the idea?" 

"A chat exclusively for women with…" Chris shot Jessica a displeased look. "A certain kind of personality." 

"And what's your 'magical' startup gonna be called?" Jessica asked mockingly. 

"ChatBitChat." 

"You little piece of horse sh*t!..." Jessica stopped her angry rant halfway, as if a brilliant idea had just hit her. "Chris, that's it! That's your golden ticket out of virgin island!" 

"You like the idea too?" Chris shyly averted his gaze. 

"Not that stupid crap!" Jessica spat. "Confidence and assertiveness! Girls love that! You see, my little inexperienced friend," Jessica threw an arm over his shoulders. "Girls don't like nice, pushover boys… They want strength! You gotta show them who the real alpha male is!" 

- But I've always tried to be, uh. you know, gentler?

- And where did that get you, hmm? - Jessica raised an eyebrow in question. - Okay, my budding alpha male, when we get to the bar you're going to have to.... uh, punch someone in the face!

- But I don't know how to fight! - Chris replied with a hint of panic.

- What's there to know? - Jessica was furious and took one step away from him and folded her arms across her chest. - Hit me!

- I mean... - Chris looked around in the deserted alley. - Hit you?

- With all my might! - Jessica snorted. - And don't worry, I'm extra strong!

- How tough? - Chris asked doubtfully. - Like, can you withstand a machine-gun blast...?

- Are you nuts or what? Am I a part-time supergirl or something?! - Jessica snorted. - But I can take a punch from a chub like you!

Jessica's way of talking was toxic in nature. And it's not to say that Jessica Jones is a bad person, just ... Life had taken its toll on her. It's more like Chris is a pretty weird kid who's still shy and insecure after a childhood in Harlem and four years in a mental institution.

But even so...

That didn't mean Chris wasn't annoyed. It annoyed him.

"Alright," Chris sighed, taking what he thought was a boxing stance. At least, that's what Chris believed. Judging by Jessica's bored look, Chris hadn't managed to impress her. "Hah!..." 

Swinging his right hand, Chris aimed for Jessica's shoulder, but due to the crooked trajectory, he only grazed her slightly before his fist slammed straight into the wall behind her. 

A second of silence and… 

"Aaaah!" Chris, holding back tears, grabbed his hand, which was throbbing with unbearable pain from the collision with the wall. "F*ck!..." 

"What the hell was that?" Jessica stared at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend how Chris had missed a non-resisting target standing a meter away. "Are you kidding me?!" 

"Screw you, Jessica!" Chris gritted his teeth. 

"Do you realize how pathetic that was?!" The situation was so absurd that Jessica couldn't even laugh. It was just… horrifying. 

"Yes, I get it!" he shouted back angrily. "I told you, I don't know how to fight!" 

"That punch can't just be described as 'I don't know how to fight'!" Jessica grabbed her head in frustration. 

"Screw you! Screw you!" Chris muttered through the pain, embarrassed. 

"If Mike Tyson saw that punch, he'd die just to get into a coffin and roll over in it!..." 

Chris was beyond fed up with this ridiculous situation. 

First, he had genuinely embarrassed himself. Jessica was right—that punch was awful. 

Second, he was overwhelmed by the pain from punching the wall. 

One thing piled on top of the other, and… 

Chris snapped. 

"AAAAH! DAMN IT!" Swinging his left, uninjured arm, Chris punched the wall. Under any other circumstances, this would've been pointless. But Chris was… "a little" special… 

**SYNCHRONIZATION: 6%** 

**BOOM!** 

Under Jessica's even more shocked gaze, an unbelievable scene unfolded. 

This time, Chris's fist… 

With a crash and a cloud of brick debris… 

Went straight through the building's wall. 

"Holy sh*t," Jessica's jaw dropped. 

"Holy sh*t," Chris echoed, not believing his own feat. 

"HOLY SH*T, CHRIS!..." 

"Jessica, this is just… holy sh*t!..." 

This time, the pair of friends had a surprisingly synchronized reaction. Except… 

"Jessica," Chris hissed through gritted teeth, sweating and biting his lip. "I think I broke my hand…" 

"Super durability hasn't been delivered yet…" 

"Jessica, for f*ck's sake, help me!" 

"That assertiveness is your key to success!" 

"JESSICA!" 

***** 

Healthcare in the US is a separate topic. But to summarize, we can summarize one very sad and incredibly capitalistic thing.....

Medicine has been taken over by private corporations.

And that meant that you have to pay for medicine. And you have to pay a lot. Health insurance is a headache for ninety-five percent of Americans.

And was it any wonder that an orphan born in Harlem didn't have health insurance? Nor did he have the money to pay for one-time care for a broken arm...?

- Five hundred bucks," Jessica muttered irritably. - For a cast and a bandage!

To provide care for a broken arm you need not only a cast, but also an X-ray and a diagnosis from a professional. In some - especially outrageous - cases, five hundred bucks can go just to diagnose a cold, and write a prescription. Well, in cases with no health insurance.

And a broken arm can't be "fixed" for five hundred bucks.

In a regular, "official" hospital, of course.

So Jessica took Chris to an "underground" clinic, which, of course, did not have an X-ray machine, but which had affordable medical care. Even if they had to rely on the experience and the "wise" face of the old man who gave them this underground help.

As they say, it was Harlem in the year 27,000, everyone survived as best they could.

- Thank you, Jessica," Chris looked down at the floor in embarrassment as he followed his friend. - I'll pay it all back...I'll definitely pay it back.

Chris was choked with an overwhelming shame.

First of all, because of his another joint, for the second time in a row they couldn't just take a vacation.

Secondly, they had to pay for Chris's treatment to Jessica, who, it should be noted, also had not much money.

In general, Christopher Wallace once again felt like a complete failure.

- It's just money," Jessica said with a glare and a snort. - It's all right.

- Я... - Chris bit his lower lip. - I'm so sorry.

- Stop it! - She raised her voice irritably, turning to him. - Enough with the open-mouthed stuff!

- What do you mean? - Chris asked in confusion.

- Chris, sometimes you have to keep your thoughts to yourself! You grew up in Harlem, and you don't do that here! - Jessica pressed her lips together. - For instance, why did you try to tell Kramer about your own powers?

- Why not?....

- Because fucking superhumans like you or me," Jessica jabbed a finger into his chest, rather perceptibly. - Like an eyesore.

- On who?

- ALL OF THEM! - Jessica exploded. - Before you know it, you'll be "missing" or on someone's payroll!

- But Mr. Kramer can be trusted ... - Chris continued uncertainly.

- Don't be so naive and stupid, Chris! - Jessica sighed unhappily. - We don't have the right to trust everyone.

With one last look into Chris's eyes, Jessica turned and headed toward the house. But Chris's words made her stop....

- I'm not as naive and stupid as you think, Jessica," his words had a touch of melancholy in them. They were probably the most sincere words Jessica had heard from him in their brief acquaintance. Words that came from the heart. - I just don't have to keep looking over my shoulder because there's nothing to take from me.

Jessica still didn't turn to Chris, but her voice was noticeably softer.

- There is now. So... Just be careful.

Without another word, Jessica continued walking. And Chris, who came to his senses after a couple of seconds, quickly caught up with his friend.

- Thank you, Jessica.

There was no response from Jessica, but that very "you're welcome" was in the air.

SYNCHRONIZATION: 8%