*There is violence in this chapter-just lil' Stevie getting in a fight. There are mentions of blood and there is use of gay slur words. If you do not feel comfortable reading those things, that is fine. Take care of yourself! :)*

810 words~ sorry it's so short, the next one will be longer~ promise :) 

(Steve's POV) 

*Pre-serum, 5th grade*

"You don't tell me what to do, you scrawny queer!" Robert yelled at me. It's literally the first day of 5th grade, and I am already getting my butt whooped. I literally just came from math class.

From fractions to fractures.

What was I supposed to do? Stand there while they call Helen a "fine-looking dish"?? I just don't understand people! My mother would kill me if she found me talking to anyone like that.

So, what did I do?

I threw my drawing of this boy on a swing set aside, and then I looked Robert straight in the eyes saying:

"Hey! Leave her alone, you got no business talking to her like that!"

 And with that, I was punched and then pushed to the ground. Now we are up to speed with the whole situation. 

"Hey! Get off me!" I yell, half out of breath. (Gol-darn, I hate asthma) I stood up and launched my fists at him. He grabbed them and pushed them back down to my sides. I try kicking him but he head-bashes me. I literally just said a couple of words and now I can barely see. I fall to the ground and start crying.

"What a weak little baby! I think I'll rock this baby to sleep." He throws himself at me and starts clawing at my face. His fingernails tear into my flesh as I wail out in pain. I fell my flesh beginning to break into pieces and fall to the floor. I am choking, though he isn't holding my throat.

I can start to feel blood trickling down my trousers and into my socks.

Maybe it's pee.

I look down and there is red all over my pants. Along with pieces of my skin.

That can't be good.

"You admiring my job, little queer?" he kicks me in the stomach. I feel part of my lunch come up. Good thing I'm poor and can't afford much food.

"Let me teach you a lesson you can't forget" He punches me in the face and calls over to his friends to help. Suddenly 3 people are punching me and there is no escape.

Then, I see a lost Frisbee on the ground. Bingo. I grab it and start beating the crowd's legs to get them away from me. I launch myself at Robert and demand he apologize to Helen. He reaches for my face but I block him with my Frisbee.

"Okay, I've had enough of this. Time to finish it." He yells, spitting in my face.

"I could do this all day." I respond, clutching my Frisbee.

And with that, I am pushed again, this time into a tree. My head slams against the trunk and I see the world start to spin.

Robert is about to totally dust me off before I hear a slightly deep, raspy voice in the distance.

"Let go of him!"

The arms holding me to the ground suddenly detach from me, and I run off to the steps of the schoolhouse. A tall boy with dark, long hair is standing with the boys in the ground in front of him. He kicked Robert in his groin and I hear a girlish squeak. I walk inside so I can go clean up my bloody face. I wish I got a glance of the person who saved me, or where Helen was.

I see my teacher and my mom sitting in the office together, and my mom looks up to see me.

"On the first day? I told you no fights this year! And look at you! There are claw marks on your face, Steve!" She grabs me and pulls me into a hug, brushing the pieces of bark out of my hair. I throw my head into her chest and cry out,

"But Mom! They were treating this girl like trash, I couldn't just stand there! The boys my age are all hotshots. Think they can do anything they want. It's just not right." I sputter out.

"You are just like your father. Never letting an injustice slide. God, I wish he could see you now." She says looking down at her ring. A tear slips down her cheek and that is enough to make my cry.

So here we are, in the middle of a school day, crying while my teacher sits there. She offers my mom a tissue. I suck it up, you know.....Like A Man. 

"Here," She starts, reaching out to hold my mother's hand. "I understand you. I lost my husband in World War 1. Terrible thing. He was so brave, never gave up. I hope your son never does. He is something special. He has a....light to him. He is a true hero. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to talk to some of the other troublemakers. Although Mr. Barnes here did break the little scums of off you, so make sure to thank him! Have a good day you two!"

Barnes. Of course.