I never really payed much attention to him but I knew who he was and what he looked like. Peter Parker. Just your average high school boy who was good at science and liked to take pictures. He was quiet and seemed like a good target for the school bullies. One guy, Flash Thompson, liked to pick on Peter a lot. He would push Peter into lockers all the time and the people around him would just laugh. I would feel so bad for Peter. Sometimes I wanted to go up to Flash and give him a piece of my mind, but he was always surrounded by his friends. One girl against a bunch of guys? There was no chance. But I guess things can take a turn for the better sometimes.
It happened one day during lunch. As usual, Flash was picking on some poor boy and everyone gathered around to watch. Flash had some kid by the legs and was shoving the kids face into his food. Everyone around was shouting "EAT IT" over and over. It was awful. I was trying to peacefully eat my lunch and read but all the yelling made it impossible. I tried ignoring it but then I heard Flash yelling at Peter. He wanted Peter to take a picture of the scene but Peter refused and told Flash to put the boy down. Flash wouldn't give in and kept telling Peter to take the picture. Finally, Peter told Flash to put the boy down but he called Flash Eugene instead. That did it. Flash dropped the boy and as Peter tried to see if he was ok, Flash punched Peter, causing him to fall to the ground.
From the limited space between people's legs, I saw Peter fall. I watched with horror as Peter staggered to his feet only to be punched in the stomach, making him fall once more. That made me break. Pushing off the picnic table, I ran over to the crowd of people. I shoved my way through and, before Flash could hurt Peter again, I gave him a solid roundhouse kick to the face. Flash flew backwards into the crowd, taking people with him as he fell. I looked down at Peter and my heart shattered. His facewas scrunched up in pain but I saw that his eyes silently said that he was thankful. I would have said that he was welcome, but I was interrupted by a growl.
"You messed with the wrong guy. Now you get to join Parker on the ground."
I turned back to see Flash coming towards me, death clearly seen in his eyes. But before he could touch me, Gwen Stacy stepped between us. Flash immediately stopped and looked at her like he was in big trouble.
"Flash, are we still on for after school today? My house, three thirty? I hope you've been doing your homework. Last time I was very disappointed in you."
Flash looked like he didn't want Gwen to say what she was saying and tried to get her to stop.
"Okay, listen…"
" No, Flash, how about we go to class, hmm? How about it?"
Flash looked at her annoyed and walked away as the bell rang. The crowd broke up as everyone started to go to class. Gwen looked at me and then Peter before going off to class as well.
Me and Peter had the same class with Gwen. We sat in the back. Peter looked awful but at least the pained look in his face was gone. As class started, Gwen turned from her seat in front of us and addressed me.
"I thought that was great, what you did back there. It was stupid, but it was great." Turning to Peter she added, "You should probably go to the nurse, you might have a concussion. What's your name?"
Peter looked at her quizzically. "You don't know my name?"
Gwen smiled. "No, I know your name. I just wanna know if you know your name."
Peter answered after. "Peter...Parker. Peter Parker."
Gwen nodded with approval, glad that Peter knew who he was. "Okay, good."
Gwen turned away from Peter with a smile. I turned to Peter and thought that Gwen was right about him going to the nurse.
"I'd still go to the nurse."
Peter looked at me and remembered that I had saved him from Flash. He smiled at me and I smiled back.
"Thanks for helping me out with Flash."
"It was no biggie. But no one should be hurt like that. Especially you."
I didn't mean for my words to be filled with care but Peter heard. He looked at me with soft eyes.
"You're Danny, right?"
I nodded. "Danny May Bergeron."
Peter nodded his head and then turned his attention to the teacher who started the days lesson. I looked at Peter with longing and and then turned my attention to the teacher.