In That Split Second
Up until that moment, Marty didn't realize how much he cared.
Fourteen-year-old Marty McFly didn't know what to make of local mad scientist Dr. Brown, whom he called "Doc". They weren't 'friends', that's for certain. 'Friends' involved two people in the same generation. Age wise, Marty and Doc were more than several football fields apart.
Ever since Jeremy Chaser stole Marty's scooter in the seventh grade and crashed it into Doc's car while making his escape, Marty noticed Doc and his slightly damaged car everywhere. It wasn't until he and his buddies started to practice skateboarding in the parking lot of Burger King did Marty see the supposedly crazy scientist regularly; they chatted casually past the gate. Marty complained about school, and Doc lamented about failed inventions. This on-and-off relationship continued until Marty turned thirteen, when he developed an interest in music (rock-and-roll, in particular), and coveted a guitar of his own. When Doc got wind of this fact, he invited Marty into his garage and offered him a job: clean out the place and help out with the inventions for twenty bucks a week.
Marty sprung on the offer, and had been working for Dr. Brown ever since. It was strange. Marty found himself looking forward to his afternoon job, but when he actually got there, he felt a little uncomfortable. More than once, he asked Doc for advice for everyday life problems. Because the scientist was an adult, he spoke with an adult's wisdom, and because of his patience and understanding, he could pass on his advice without irking Marty. It made the kid feel a bit guilty somehow. He didn't normally ask his own parents for any sort of advice, so why did he ask for somebody else's? In the end, the poor boy didn't know what to make of it.
It was the first day of April. Marty was seating himself in homeroom (barely on time, as always!), when drama student and fellow classmate Joseph Tallway rushed up to him in a panicked frenzy.
"What's wrong?" Marty asked in alarm.
"Didn't you hear?" Joseph gasped breathlessly.
Marty gave him a blank look.
The drama student's eyes widened. "Dr. Brown's in the hospital!" he exclaimed.
Marty suddenly felt as if Joseph had splashed a bucket of ice water on him. A blind panic stole over him, blurring his vision and numbing his extremities. His head buzzed in alarm, and his breath suddenly cut itself short. Meanwhile, the rest of him shook in shock and disbelief.
"WHAT?" he cried, leaping to his feet and knocking over his chair.
Joseph hopped back, his fearful expression disappearing from his face. Marty watched with confusion as a broad grin split his classmate's head in two, and Joseph roared, "April Fools!"
He darted away, howling with laughter along with the rest of the class. It took Marty a few stunned seconds to take in what had just happened. Flushed with embarrassment, he righted his chair and quickly sat down. He couldn't get rid of the burning hatred he felt for Joseph right away; in fact, he could already think of a million ways to get revenge. Punch his lights out; steal his homework; blow up his mailbox…
At that same moment, an incredible rush of relief washed over him, and Marty felt rather giddy. It took the class several minutes to calm down, so in the meantime, he gazed at the ceiling with shining eyes. Doc is my friend, he realized with a jolt. The inventor was no longer an unexpected casualty during a wild chase, a casual acquaintance, or even a distant employer. He was Marty's friend.
It had only lasted for a split second, but up until that moment, Marty didn't realize how much he cared.
The End.