After writing some of chapter 6 I realized that it should be part of chapter 1. So I moved the plan around a little bit and this is the result. I hope you like it this way. Also if there is enough people that want me to post chapter 6 when it is done I will. But heres the deal who ever comments on this blog or Facebook they want to read it I will send it to them. So I know the ones who really want to read it, get to read it. So enjoy the revised chapter 1!
Chapter 1
It was a typical Saturday night in the Thompson residence. Teresa Thompson, Topher's mother was downstairs cooking dinner, and Franklin Thompson, Topher's father was stuck at work yet again. Then there was the usual commotion of screaming, bomb sounds, rat-a-tats, and world domination plans being bellowed from behind closed doors. Behind that door is where Topher, a seven year old boy is playing with his superhero toys like any normal seven year old boy does. He's wearing one of his many superhero themed pajamas, in fact those are the only kind of pajamas he owns. His short blonde spikey hair resembles the hero he drew of himself when he gets older, Captain Awesome. Topher has just made Arachnid-Guy get the ambush on Professor Pain, Topher boasts in his super-hero voice, "Arachnid-Guy will get you Professor Pain!" Topher turns around Professor Pain as if he really heard the hero speak to him and answers back in a sinister villian voice, "You can try Arachnid-Girl, but Professor Pain will destroy you!"
Topher is too busy playing with his figures he doesn't hear his mom yelling down from the stairs dinner is ready. In all actuality he did what every kid does, hears her yelling, but chooses to ignore it, and continues playing. Arachnid-Guy dives towards Professor Pain off of a four block built tower that Topher built to resemble Professor Pain's castle wall. Topher thinks he hears a faint knocking at his door, but once again chooses to ignore it. Topher makes Arachnid-Guy continually punch Professor Pain in the face boasting while hitting him, "That's for calling me Arachnid Girl!!!" Teresa Thompson, Topher's mother bursts into the room and startles Topher.
"Topher, I have been calling you for dinner for the last five minutes!! I know you heard me, because I'm pretty sure half of the neighborhood knows it's time for dinner, and they are sitting at our table waiting for me to serve them! So put down those dolls, and get ready for dinner. I swear those awful comic books are rotting your brain, and making you immune to the outside world. Your father and I bought you that whole Encyclopedia set and all they do is sit on the shelf and gather dust, or you use them to build silly little bases for your dolls to battle over. Now go wash your hands and face and come down for dinner." Topher's mother says and then heads back down stairs.
Topher cleans up and heads downstairs and sits at the table. Clearly looking defeated by his mother's words about his toys and what he does in his spare time. The whole time he was cleaning himself up and his toys he was trying to think of a kind retaliation towards his mom, one that wouldn't get him in trouble. He couldn't think of one at the moment so he just blurted out the first thing that came to him, "Mom, the reason I don't read the Encyclopedia's is because I don't want to be a super-smart adult, I want to be a super-hero when I grow up. I wanna fly, lift cars, run really fast, and save the world. That's what I wanna do. Not be stuck at a desk all day, or work in a lab like Dad does. Sure that's ok for ones secret identity, but I would be bored if that was my life." Topher sat back and prepared for his mother's response.
Teresa responded, "Topher, dear, very simply put super-heroes don't exist. I'm sorry they are just fantasy. Some people get paid money to sit at desk, like you don't wanna do, and write about their adventures. They all come from someone's imagination and it takes a team of people to bring them to life. Since you like to draw so much, maybe one day you will be on a team that helps create superheroes for kids to read when you are older. Simply put honey, I'm sorry, but this is the truth, superheroes are fake." Teresa felt a little bad for the bluntness of how she explained the situation to her son, but she wanted to make sure to nip the crazy notion in the butt, that her boy will grow up to become a superhero just because he wants to be one when he gets older. The crazier thing is this just fueled Topher's desires even more.
Topher came back at his mom with what he thought would of been the best way to prove his point that superheroes do exist. "Mom, if superheroes aren't real then how come they have numerous autobiographical movies written about them. Song's written about them, and not to mention a plethora of books written about them also. Mom super-heroes are real, and one day I will prove that to you! I promise!" Topher was so proud of what he said he just smiled thinking he finally got through to his mom.
Teresa wanted this conversation done but didn't want to destroy her son's feelings in the process. She sat for a second and pondered over each word she was about to say, and finally responded. "Well, until that day Sweetie we live in the real world where intelligence and money reign supreme. Not silly super-villains or aliens from another planets wearing capes and a "S" on their chest. Now eat your dinner, this conversation is over." Topher and his mother sat and ate dinner in silence, because they both said their piece, and neither won. Topher finished quickly, hugged his mom, told her he loved her, and headed upstairs.
Topher sat up in his room almost near tears letting his mom's words soak in, but then he thought to himself she's wrong, and he just has to prove it. He goes over in his head the many superhero origins, and tries to think of the easiest ones to recreate, and looks down and sees his Arachnid-Guy figure staring back at him. He then remembers that Arachnid-Guy was bit by a radioactive spider, a spider would be easy to come by, but he had no idea what was radioactive. He then started looking around and spotted his encyclopedias and grabbed the "R" volume as fast as he could. He looked up radioactive up and saw it says sometimes glows in the dark. Then Topher remembered he had glow in the dark crayons and an idea popped into his head. Then at that very moment he spotted a spider climbing on his wall, and he thought to himself this must be a sign, and captured the spider and put the spider in a jar with holes poked in it so it could breathe. He then found his crayon sharpener, and took his crayon shavings and placed them in the jar with the spider. Smiling from ear to ear, so proud of himself, he placed his soon to be superpowered spider next to him on his nightstand, and went to bed.
Topher woke up the next day staring at the spider with anticipation. He was about to stick his hand in the jar when his mother told him to come down for breakfast since she was making pancakes. Pancakes was Topher's favorite, and she felt a little bad after their discussion last night, so she was trying to make up for it. Teresa unsure of how to break the uncomfortable silence that was remained in the dining room since last night decided to spurt out the first thing that came to mind, "How'd you sleep honey?" Inside her head shes mentally facepalming herself realizing how dumb and random that sounded.
Topher with a giant smile on his face retorted back, "Like a log mom! Like a log!" Topher unsure of how to broach the next subject to his mom so he decided to shoot first then hopefully no questions would be asked later. "Umm...Mom...how do you get a spider to bite you?" Topher's mother who was in the middle of flipping pancakes in the air, misses the pancake completely in the pan and it falls on the ground. Topher fully aware of the reaction his mother was having to the random question decided to back it up with a little white lie. "Mom, I'm trying to become super-smart about our arachnid friends, and the encyclopedias only say much, but it doesn't say why spiders bite people, and I wanna know as much information as possible." Topher sat and prayed to himself his mother would fall for that.
His mother thought for a second and smiled, thinking maybe their talk last night did have an effect on him. She answered, "Well, honey, my best guess is a spider might bite you if you tried to handle it, tease it, or agitate in anyway." Teresa was still a little disturbed by her son's question, but was happy he was researching something that didn't involve capes and lazer beams being shot out of someone's eyes. Topher then grabs a fork and stabs three pancakes through each other, and shoves them all in his mouth, not bothering chewing. Mumbles thanks, and runs upstairs back up to his room. Teresa was so moved from his desire to go learn more she didn't bother saying anything and let him go upstairs.
Topher jumps on his bed and grabs the jar with the spider and the crayon shavings in it. Topher says out loud to himself, "I wonder if this is going to hurt, but you know what they say no pain no gain." Topher then takes the spider out of the jar and holds the spider in his hand. Topher than proceeds to chat with the spider. "Come on spider, bite me. But please not to hard." Topher waits for a second and prepares for the pinch, but nothing happens. Topher getting a little upset starts to quietly yell at the spider because he can't let his mom know what he is trying to do, because if she knew she would burst through the door, and squish that spider and the same time destroy any hope of him getting spider powers. "Come on you dumb spider! Bite me!" Topher says while shaking the spider in his hand. Topher feels a little pinch and looks down and sees the spiders fangs in his hand, and thinks to himself yes VICTORY! Topher than puts the spider back in the jar, just incase it takes more than one bite he'll be prepared the second time. Topher than feels a little woozy and dizzy and passes out.
Teresa comes up to watch her son study about spiders when she notices he is passed out on the floor. Teresa starts screaming, "TOPHER, TOPHER! Wake up!" Spying the room for any clues of what may have happened, such as maybe found something he shouldn't of drank, a book fell on his head, anything that would explain why her son was passed out on his floor. She then saw the spider in the jar on the nightstand. Topher wakes up to his startled mother lying over him. "What happened! Did that spider bite you!", Teresa asks Topher.
"Mom, I was just studying him up close to see what he felt like, and the spider just bit me", Topher lied to his mom.
"Well, I'm getting rid of your new friend here since he nearly caused me a heartattack! He's going outside where he belongs, and don't you dare try to go find him again and bring him back in this household, or I will throw all your dolls and comics away! Is that clear mister?!", Teresa demanded of her son. Topher shook his head and smiled very quickly so his mom wouldn't see. If his plan worked like he thought it would, he would only need the one spider bite, and he would become Arachnid-Boy. His mother left with the spider and Topher then shut the door. Topher gets a huge smile on his face and thinks to himself now that shes outside its time to test out my powers. Lets see Arachnid-Guy has a super-strength and can also stick to walls. Topher gets down ready to lift his bed over his head, but much to his dismay he doesn't lift it. He thinks to himself maybe my strength hasn't developed yet, then walks over to the wall. He puts one hand on the wall, followed by the other, then he places his left foot on the wall and jumps to get the right foot on the wall. He doesn't stick. Instead gravity takes over and hurtles back to the floor and hits his head against the wall on the way down. Stupid not radioactive spider Topher thinks to himself, and ponders why the glow in the dark crayon shavings didn't work. Topher than heads over to his comics to look up other origins of superheroes.
Topher sits in his room with all his comics sprawled out on the floor and he's in the middle of the chaos, which is his floor. Topher picks up an issue of Stunt-Man and remembers how Stunt-Man got his powers, which is that he was splashed in the eye with toxic waste, and since Topher is pretty sure that would hurt way more than a spider bite, and also the fact how would he get toxic waste at the age of seven, he decided to nix that idea. He then grabbed an issue of Major US and thinks to himself that Roger was injected with a superhero serum during World War II, but Topher is deathly afraid of needles so once again threw another idea in the proverbial trash can. Topher than grabs an issue of Green Giant, he always liked how huge Green Giant was, and how he changed when he lost his temper. Topher thought that would be a sweet way to activate my powers, but then he found out how the Green Giant got his powers and that was from an atomic bomb fallout at a testing facility, and Topher knew there would be no chance he could even attempt that. Topher about to give up then picks up a copy of Super-Dude.
Topher flips through the pages and sees a ship crash landing on Earth, and then remembers that his parents have no pictures of his mother when she is pregnant. Or have any ultrasound pictures in his baby book, there's only pictures of him after he is born. Topher than puts two and two together and comes to the conclusion he must be an alien! He has figured it all out, and runs out his door. He runs down the stairs and jumps the last three steps. After Topher lands with a giant thud on the floor he then bolts to the kitchen to where his mom is washing the dishes. He bursts into the kitchen asking his mom a question, "Mom, can I ask you a question?"
Teresa looks at her son and notices the excitement on his face, then sees the bump on his head and answers back, "Sure but first you tell me how you got that bump on your head that wasn't there earlier."
Topher quickly responds, "I fell! Mom, am I an alien from another planet. It would explain so much. You have no pictures of you when I was in your tummy, and theres no pictures of me in the hospital, and also there are no ultrasound pictures of me in my baby book. So I must be an alien. I'm right aren't I mom?" Topher than but on a big grin awaiting the truth to finally show its face.
Teresa drops the plate she was washing and it shatters on the floor and her face drops to a frown because she has to break Topher's happy dreams once again in the same weekend. She thinks for a second and slowly starts talking to Topher, "Son your father and I knew this day would come, but had no idea it would come this soon. Yes you are right there are no pictures of me when I was pregnant with you, because I never was pregnant with you. And I hate to break your bubble honey, but your not an alien, in fact you are adopted."
Topher looks puzzled at his mom and asks, "What does adopted mean mom?"
Teresa tells Topher, "Well hon, adopted means that sometimes a mommy can't provide for their child for whatever reason. So they put their child up for adoption so a family like your dad and I could take care of them instead. "
Topher looks on with tears forming in his eyes and asks his mom a question that all adopted parents dread, and have no answer for. "Why would someone not want me? Are you sure you're not making up this adoption story to cover up my alien origin."
Teresa looks her son in the eyes and tells him very sweetly, "Well sometimes circumstances happen sweetie. It just means that your dad and I love you even more because you are very special to us, and are blessed to have you in our life. Not a day goes by that I thank not only God, but also your birth mother for giving us the opportunity to being parents."
Topher hugged his mom and told her he loved her. And told her he's going to go play outside. Teresa watched as her son went out to play with his head down lower than she had ever seen it, and felt a little of her heart break inside.
Topher stepped outside and wiped the tears from his eyes, because Topher knew heroes don't cry and was determined to prove that he was an alien, and not adopted. He went out looking for rocks that resembled meter rock from his home planet, because when Super-Dude got near them they made him weak, and Topher knew deep down the same thing would happen to him if he found any. He was about to give up his search when he found a jagged looking rock, but it wasn't glowing green, Topher thought oh well glow in the dark paint can fix that. He was so infatuated with the rock he didn't hear the three boys walk up behind him, preparing to taunt and torture him, the normal Saturday ritual sadly."What are you doing Super-NERD!", Tommy the head bully bellowed to Topher. Tommy was your typical slightly overweight bully with not very well kept hair, and just a black shirt. His lackeys Gunther and Mitch dressed exactly the same, because they desperately wanted to be like Tommy.
"Ha, Super-Nerd, Good one Tommy!", Mitch and Gunther said at the same time, trying to prove which one was more a better lackey to Tommy. In Tommy's eyes he knew that both Mitch and Gunther were both horrible lackeys, but they kept trying to prove themselves to him so he liked it. Plus they always gave Tommy their snacks they got in their lunch, hence the slightly overweight issue Tommy was facing. Tommy kept trying to find better lackeys, but it's hard finding new goons to follow you when you are a jerk to everyone.
Topher turns around determined to stand up to his everyday beraters, "Well, I see brawn, brawn, and brawn, but where are the brains of the operation? That's right there are none." Topher than smiles triumphantly silently congratulating himself on his intelligence. The three goons just stare at Topher with bewilderment trying to replay what Topher just said to them, and actually figure out what it meant. Topher saw another moment for a decisive victory and opened up his mouth one more time, "What you don't get it? That's right you guys are dumb, stupid, have no clue, now do you get it! Now that's a good one."
Tommy has had enough and just let loose on Topher punching him straight in the face. Topher goes down with one punch. Tommy gloats, "Now that is funny you little dweeb!". The three bullies just stand over Topher laughing triumphantly, even though Tommy is the only one who did anything. He usually is the only one. The other two are just his little parrots that follow him around and just repeats what he has to say, and agree with him when need be. That was one of the few attributes that Tommy really liked about Gunther and Mitch. Maybe they weren't so bad Tommy thought to himself. Tommy high fived Gunther and Mitch and said, "Let's leave this Super girl to cry by herself." While Tommy and his goons were walking away Topher noticed something in between the tears in his eyes, a jaggedly looking rock. That resembled Dryptonite to a T. Topher than knew why he went down so quickly for he was around his one weakness, a rock from his own planet Drypton.
Topher picked up the rock and started running home, getting weaker after each step he said to himself, "Wow, this is really working, because it keeps getting harder and harder to get home. Boy am I weak from this rock. I knew that whole adoption story was a cover up." Topher than limped up to his room, and made a mental note to ask him mom to put in an escalator. because if he was going to be fighting super-villians every day he can't be expected to walk up the stairs as well. As soon as Topher made it into his room he grabbed his neon green paint and started to paint the rock so it more looked like Dryptonite to further more prove he was an alien from another planet. As soon as the paint dried on the Dryptonite Topher than immediately hid the rock, because he thought if Tommy and his goons found out about his weakness, and where it was they would use it against him, or worse sell it to other super-villians so it would be easy to take him down.
Since Topher was convinced that he was a hero he knew he needed a costume to go exact justice on the thugs that just humiliated him. Topher was determined to show those bullies that you can't pick on the little guys forever, eventually they will fight back, and win. Topher knew that he would be the ones to show them that. Topher than grabs an orange cape he had from a Halloween costume, some black boots because all super-heroes wear boots, a belt, gloves, and a mask to hide his true identity. Topher stands in the mirror admiring his handiwork, then boasts outloud for no one to hear, "Beware evil doers...um rats I don't have a super-hero name yet. Let's see I bet one of my super-powers is super strength. There was a word that meant a thing of immense size and power, what was it...leviphan...no levthan...no close....Leviathan! That's it! Beware evil doers Leviathan will always destroy your evil plans." Topher was actually glad no one was around at the moment, because he thought it was weird he was talking to himself, and also he didn't have a name picked out. But now he did and he was ready to go find Terrible Tommy and his two goons. Before he went off to find his enemies he decided he should test his strength first just to see how strong he actually was. He walked up to his bed and tried to lift it but failed. Topher knew the reason must be because the Dryptonite was so close to him in his room and soon as he left his strength would replenish himself. Topher went out to go seek justice.
Topher didn't have to look to hard to find Tommy and his goons because they set their sights on another kid down the street trying to take his bike from him. Topher walked up right behind Tommy with no fear in his heart for he knew this was his battle to win. Topher says in a deep voice, "Terrible Tommy stop your evil doing now! For Leviathan is here to defend the little guy! Now run along and take your two numb skulled miscreants with you, and I'll let you off with a warning!" Topher than put his hands on his hips in a triumphant stance knowing he just won his first of many battles against a list of super-villians.
All three bullies jaw's drop, and then start bursting out in laughter. "You gotta be kidding me!" Tommy said in between his laughter. Tommy composed himself a little and continued on, "Leviphan or whatever your name is, or is it Super-Dweeb Topher we creamed earlier. Did you not get enough the first time around. You want another beating?"
Topher held his composure and just answered in his deep voice once again, "No, I am Leviathan, but Topher told me how you beat him up earlier today! So here I am to defend the little guy, and bring justice to the miscreants who dealt out the trouble."
Tommy was trying to hold back tears from laughing so hard. And finally squeaked out, "Uhh sure...since I'm such a terrible miscreant I'll give you first shot Levifem...or what ever your name is.
Topher knew this was his chance to finally return all the pain Tommy has dealt him over the years. He reached back as far as he could with his fist and yelled, "Prepare to be leviathaned!" Topher swung with all his might and landed with a light thud on Tommy's portly stomach. This was not the blow Topher was hoping to land. Tommy without warning retaliated and knocked Topher straight in the stomach and knocked the wind out of Topher.
Victorious once again Tommy and his goons left Topher in utter defeat and walked away saying, "Thank's for the lesson Levialoser!" And laughed all the way home. The other boy not wanting to face the wraith of the bullies if he helped Topher, ran straight to his house leaving Topher in the middle of his yard gasping for air. Topher lied there for a good five minutes until he finally caught enough air to walk home and limped all the way home. Still weary from two battles his faced in one day.
Topher walked into the kitchen and Teresa noticed instantly what he was wearing and how out of breath he was. "What happened to you!!", Teresa asked in a loving mother voice. Then hugged her beat up son. "Was it that Tommy and his friends again! Do I need to call his mother again!", Teresa said.
All that Topher could say was, "I'm not an alien Mom!" Topher than cried for a minute. Then told his mom what happened. How he was beat up earlier by Tommy and his friends and thought he was beat because of the rock he found. So then he got a costume and left the rock at home thinking his super powers would kick in, and he would finally be able to get the better of Tommy. So he saw him picking on the other kid and went to go save him, but just got beat up again, while the other kid ran off and didn't get hurt.
Teresa was sitting there soaking in her son's traumatic day and finally responded, "You at least were a hero to someone, standing up for the little guy. But let this be a lesson sweetie, you don't need powers to be a hero."
Topher kissed him on the cheek and just said, "Thank's Mom, I really needed to hear that. How do mom's always know what to say?"
Teresa just simply answered, "It's a Mom's super-power."
Before Topher went to bed he was reminded of a bunch of super-heroes who have no powers and still are heroes. Topher picks up a copy of the Revenger but then puts it down remembering how violent the Revenger is, and is always bordering on the line between hero and villian. Topher than picks up a copy of Bat-Guy and thinks to himself Bat-Guy is way strong, knows karate, fights crime, and is way cool. I could become the new Bat-Guy, but then Topher remembered how Bat-Guy got into fighting crime, and that was his parents were killed, and Topher knew he would miss his parents if they were killed. Topher puts down the comics and just stares out the window looking at the stars. Once again talking to himself, "Maybe I'm still an alien and my powers haven't come to me yet. Who am I kidding I'm just a boring regular nerdy seven year old. Not even my Mom who had me in her tummy didn't want me!" Topher starts to cry and notices a shooting star. He knew if he made a wish on a shooting star it was bound to come true. So he closed his eyes tight and made the wish to become a super hero. So he could defend the little guy, stand up for the ones who are afraid to, and assist in the removal of all evil in the world. Topher than crawled into his bed, and fell asleep dreaming of super-heros.
Topher woke up excited, because it was his eight birthday, and he believed the universe wouldn't allow you to have a bad day on your birthday. Topher was sure the universe's birthday present to him would be a day without bullying, teasing, or being picked on. He jumped out of bed wearing his Spider-Dude pajamas, his favorite pair he has outgrown, but refuses to throw away. No matter how much his mother protests and begs him to, he never will throw them away. One time Teresa succeeded in throwing them away, but Topher just dug through the trash to retrieve them. They were his favorite pajamas, and he just wasn't ready to give them up yet, and he wasn't sure if he ever would be.
Topher threw on his brand new Bat-Dude shirt he got, brushed his teeth, and ran down the stairs to have breakfast and head off to school. Teresa was in the kitchen making Topher's birthday breakfast, pancakes but banana pancakes, his all time favorite. Franklin Topher's father was sitting at the table drinking coffee and reading the paper. Franklin decided to go in a little late today so he could see Topher off to school on his birthday morning, and also get a little extra father son bonding time with him, due to the fact he works so much they miss out on. Franklin hands his cup of coffee to Topher after his son sits down at the table and told his son, "Here you go buddy! You're one year closer to being a man. So have some coffee. "
Topher takes the cup and makes the same disgusted look most eight year old's make when they smell their parents coffee. A look that simply says YUCK with only a facial expression. Topher tells Jeffrey, "This smells gross Dad! I will never drink coffee! Ever! Now and forever I'm sticking to my two favorites, orange juice and chocolate milk." Topher pushes the coffee back to Jeffrey and heads to the refrigerator. Topher grabs out the chocolate milk and sees the can of whipped cream sitting next to it. He picks up the can of whipped cream and looks around, plotting to do what everyone does when they think no one is looking when there is a whipped cream can around. He takes the tap off quietly as to not tip off his mom to his plan, tips the can over his head, and hovers the nozzle directly over his head. Makes a quick last minute check, and squirts a good amount in his mouth before his mom could yell at him.
"TOPHER THADEUS THOMPSON! That is gross! Other people use that you know!", Teresa screamed at Topher when she heard the sudden SQUIRT of whipped cream, and realized what her son had been planning for the last few moments. Teresa used her son's full name because she knew how much Topher hated it, and if she used his full name in one long breath he knew he was in trouble. Teresa snatched the whipped cream can out of Topher's hand and slammed it back in the refrigerator, and shut the door. "Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you can get away with that!"
"Sorry mom", Topher says. Smiling slyly because he got the whipped cream before his mom caught him, which rarely happens due to mother's eyes that they have in the back of their heads. Topher grabbed some banana pancakes and drowned them in syrup just the way he liked him. "Thanks for the birthday breakfast Mom! You're the best mom I've ever had!" Topher runs over and gives his mom a big hug.
"Topher, dear I'm the only mother you have ever had. And you are welcome my sweet. Now go grab your bookbag you don't wanna be late, and I also packed some soup for you for lunch. Chicken Noodle your favorite. And one more thing, I'll bring down your school treats a little later." Teresa told Topher. After hearing that Topher was out the door on his way to school. He made it half way down the street to school when he heard Tommy, Mitch, and Gunther coming up behind him.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to the Superdork! Happy Birthday to you!!", the three bullies sang to Topher. Topher hated his enemies knowing when his birthday was, because that meant they would extra hard to make sure your birthday would be anything but happy. "So is your mom bringing pretty, glittery pink cupcakes for us today because you're such a girl little Topher. I even bet they have princesses on them!", Tommy tells Topher. Topher was trying to fight back tears because heroes don't cry, even if they lack super powers. Topher hated that all the other boys for some reason hit a growth spurt this year, and he was still stuck at just under four feet and a little on the pudgy side. Topher knew he was pudgy because his mom would buy him the husky jeans, which was a nice way of saying too big for normal pants when you are a kid. It didn't bother Topher until the day he went to school wearing new jeans without taking all the stickers off, and everyone commenting on his new pants. It wasn't until the end of the day he noticed the stickers, and one said husky. And all the kids knew what husky meant. He faked sick and stayed home from school the next day.
Topher just finished walking to school with his three arch nemeses taunting the whole way to school. Just keeping his eyes forward not giving them the benefit of knowing how bad what they were saying were successful attacks on him. Topher finally made it to the school yard and since Topher wasn't acknowledging any of the terrible three's verbal attacks they went elsewhere to torture some other unfortunate soul. Topher looked around the playground and saw every other kid playing with other kids, and saw a lone swing not being swung on. Topher hated being the constant target of the bullies, because that meant that no one would want to be seen playing with Topher, in fear of getting attacked in the crossfire. So Topher was used to swinging by himself, playing by himself, shooting baskets by himself, and attempting the monkey bars by himself. On the outside Topher was smiling enjoying life, but on the inside he felt so alone and sad. He didn't like being sad. He got a few pumps in on the swing, and said whee to himself because he felt like he was flying.
Topher got as high as the swingset would let him, and scanned the playground again, because he was high up and could see the whole playground from the sky. He saw the three goons cowering a poor little girl in the corner, the sports kids playing soccer, the girls jump roping, and the line of kids waiting for the slide. The whole world felt so far away from Topher even though he was only a few feet in the sky, and a only a few more away from everyone else. The bell rung for school to start, but Topher was still on the swings high in the sky. He was afraid to put his legs down, in fear of breaking them, because Topher felt like he was really flying at high speeds and a sudden stop like that would snap Topher's legs in half he thought. So he did the next obvious thing, he released his hands, and leaped out of the seat at the top of the swing. Topher felt bliss during the free fall of the swing, and felt like his wish finally came true, he was flying. Till the sudden thump on the ground followed the pain in his legs. Topher was once grounded again in reality. Topher hated reality. Topher then grabbed his bookbag and headed into class.
Mrs. Simpson was Topher's 3rd grade teacher and her favorite subject to teach was creative writing. She was in her mid 30's and had short brown hair, and loved teaching. She had been teaching for five years, and after every year she teaches she tries even harder to challenge the next group of incoming teachers. That is the reason why she's on some kids favorite teacher list, and also the list of can't wait to get out of her class. To Topher she was on the first list. After the tardy bell rang Mr. Jerome the school principal walked in and introduced the class to a new student. His name was Brad. Brad was wearing the same Super-Dude shirt Topher was wearing yesterday, had brown spikey hair, glasses, was only a fraction taller than Topher, but super skinny. All bones. Topher got all excited because he might make a friend today with the new kid all because Brad wouldn't be aware of his zero friends in the past. "Welcome to our class Brad", Mrs. Simpson says to Brad. "Why don't you take the open desk by Topher. Topher please raise your hand so Brad knows where he is going." Topher raises his hand, and Brad heads to the desk next to Topher just like he was told.
Brad sits down in the desk and immediately Topher swoops in to be the first person to say hi to Brad. "Hi Brad, I'm Topher", Topher says while putting out his hand for a high five. Topher thought shaking hands might come off as to formal so he opted for the high five.
Brad slapped Topher's hand with a mutual high five and says, "Hey Topher nice to meet you." Topher knew he made a friend.
Mrs. Simpson says to the class, "Now did we all finish our homework last night?" The class answers with the usual groans and yeses that come from all classes when that question is asked. "Don't worry Brad I won't hold this one against you, but last night the kids had to write about what they want to be when they grow up. I'll have you go last so you can introduce yourself to the class and tell us a few things about yourself so we can get to know you better. Good, now for the suprise!" Mrs. Simpson loved surprising her students, and keeping them on their toes. She felt it prepared them for real life. "You will all read your paper out loud so the whole class can hear. Who wants to go first?".
Suzy, the class pet, complete with little blonde curls in her hair, shot her hand up first, she was always the first one with her hand up. Topher couldn't stand that about her. "I wanna go first!", Suzy practially screams while jumping out of her seat. Mrs. Simpson made her annual nod, which signified go on a head. "When I grow up." Suzy began. "I want to be a teacher just like you Mrs. Simpson, and how my mom wanted to be." Topher could already see the butt kissing going on for a few more minutes, but if he paid attention it would last for hours, so he pulled out a piece of paper and just doodled superheros. It was his coping mechanism when something is boring. He has a lot of superhero drawings for an eight year old boy, because he is bored more than he is entertained. But for the first time he didn't just draw a hero by himself, he also drew a friend with him with spikey hair, and a "B" on the chest. They were battling three troll looking orgres with swords and little hammers, and of course since Topher was the one drawing it the heroes were winning. Suzy's paper gets through in pieces through Topher's ears, "I want to help kids learn because I know I can make learning fun. I love kids. Wanna make a difference in kids lifes...." Pretty soon all that Suzy was saying was turning into blah, blah. blah in Topher's mind, and finally the five minute butt kissing fest was done. and the whole class clapped their hands in appreciation that is was finally over.
Mrs Simpson tells Suzy, "Thank you Suzy, that was very...thought out. How about...Tommy goes next!"
Tommy groans and says, "Fine", and heads up to the front of the class. Tommy stumbles through his paper, "I want to be a professional wrestler when I grow up. because it would be fun to beat up little guys, and get paid for it. Plus look really buff! You know what they say, you should get paid for doing what you love! And I agree!" Topher sunk down in his chair out of instinct because he felt bad for whoever was going to get beat up by Tommy, especially if he was going to get paid to do it.
"Thank you Tommy that was very short and to the point. Let's hear from your two best friends shall we, Mitch and Gunther which should it be...", Mrs. Simpson says to Tommy.
Gunther speaks up to Mrs. Simpson, "Mrs. Simpson I prefer Gunner over Gunther. It sounds way cooler."
Mrs. Simpson smiles because Gunther just made her job easier and calls to Gunther, "But that's not your name Gunther. Gunther is your name. In fact since you've got so much to say obviously how about you go first, Gunther!" Mrs. Simpson says while putting emphasis on Gunther. Mrs. Simpson loved teaching kids about respect, especially when they possessed none for their common man.
Gunther walked up in defeat after being handed a plate of humility by his teacher and started talking to the class. "I want to be Tommy's tag team partner in the wrestling world, and also get paid to beat up people. Plus it looks like fun!"
Mitch stands up in outrage and yells at Gunther, "GUNTHER, you stole mine!"
Mrs. Simpson not tolerating any outrages like that in her class even though she was expecting it simply said, "Well apparently we heard of both Mitch and Gunther's career goals of being sidekicks to Tommy for the rest of their lives, how about we switch gears and hear from....Topher."
Topher headed up with a big smile on his face, because he knew he had the best paper out of the whole class. Complete originality and no butt kissing at all, and plus it wouldn't take twenty minutes to present. Topher starts reading his paper, "I want to be a super-hero when I grow up. I think it would be cool to save the day and help fight the good fight. My powers would be super strength so I could beat up the bad guys and defend the little guy. Plus super speed so I could travel fast and break all kinds of speed records. Also it's a good career choice because there will always be evil to be conquered, and world domination plans to be foiled."
Tommy interrupts Topher's presentation, "You'd be more of a super LOSER!"
Mrs. Simpson has had enough of Tommy's rudeness and stands up at her desk and sternly says, "Tommy another outburst, and it will be detention for not only you, but also Mitch and Gunther because they love following in your footsteps." Mrs. Simpson then turns to Topher, "Topher, very um...interesting paper, but the goal was to use an actual profession such as doctor, police officer, cook, even teacher, not a fantasy. Super-heros don't exist."
Topher was tired of being told that super-heros don't exist and fights back, "How do you know? They might exist, but are hiding so they don't frighten us. I mean how freaked would you be if you saw a flying woman, or a man with gigantic lazers for arms! They're hiding so we don't ridicule them, or classify them as dangerous weapons..."
Mrs. Simpson knew she had to stop this before this got any more out of hand and stops Topher in the middle of his declaration, "That' s enough Topher. I will give you a good grade on your well thought out paper. I could tell you put a lot of effort into, unlike some others did. But let's change course and hear about Brad real quick. Brad will you come up here please."
Brad heads to the front of the class really nervous, because he was being asked to do this in the first thirty minutes in a new school. Brad started slowly saying, "My name is Brad Olson. I just moved here from Portland. My dad got a new job, and I..um...like superheroes. Can I be done now?"
Mrs. Simpson says to Brad, "Thank you Brad for sharing, and yes you can be. Class now altogether let's say Hi Brad!" The whole class does as Mrs. Simpson asked and Brad headed back to his desk thinking that went a lot better then he imagined. Topher gave a high five to his friend as Brad sat down. Making them both smile.
The end of school bell rang and Topher and Brad headed out of the school together, just like a newly formed dynamic duo. "So where do you live Brad?", Topher asked his new found friend.
Brad answered, "Down Little St., third house on the right."
Topher's eyes lit up, that's right by my house, come on I'll show you where I live and maybe we can hang out afterwards after we drop our school bags off."
Brad get excited, "That would be awesome man! You know how hard it is being the new kid in school. I've been one for at least four times in the past year, with my Dad moving around a lot for work. It would be cool to have a friend for once." Topher nodded thinking exactly the same thing about having a friend. This morning he had no one to hang out with, but after school started he had a sidekick, wait a friend. And Topher couldn't of been happier. Topher knew his happiness wouldn't last long because he sensed danger was heading his way. Topher called it his nerd sense, because he always knew when he was about to be bullied. It would be a great power if it helped him not get beat up, but it usually just alarmed him to the beating he was about to get, and never a way of helping to get out of it.
"Oh look Topher and the new girl are hitting it off!", Tommy says to Mitch and Gunther. The two lackeys laugh like little robots because they have no mind of their own and just follow their cruel minded leader. "I bet they are going to go home and do each others nails, brush their hair, and dance around!" By this time his lackeys were laughing so hard their were tears in their eyes.
Topher having enough of this kind of treatment from Tommy finally spoke up, "Tommy! Really can you think of anything else but calling us a bunch of girls. Are you really that dumb! And also Mitch and Gunther. And yes I called you Guther because it's a dumb name, and your dumb and mean! Please just leave us..."
Tommy hated when Topher stood up to him and spoke up. Topher was not like the other nerds and geeks he always picked on, for some reason he had a backbone and never took any tounge lashing, or fist beating lying down. Tommy just nodded to Mitch and Gunther and they attacked Topher and Brad, because Tommy was tired of getting his hands dirty. While Mitch and Gunther were beating up Topher and Brad Tommy just barked out orders, "Hit them again! Make them shut up! Why aren't you crying girls! Just cry! Cry like the girls I know you are!" Tommys face was red in anger from yelling at Topher, he couldn't stand it this kid who he has picked on his whole life still gets back up and after being pushed down. He never understood why, and it made him so angry. Tommy finally snapped his fingers signifying the beating was over, and also because he knew Topher would just have some smart remark afterwards, which would make Tommy hit him one more time, but Tommy was done for the day, and wanted to get home to be a bully another day.
After Tommy and his goons left Topher helped Brad up, "I'm sorry man! I guess you have met my arch nemesis Terrible Tommy and his two goons! I would totally understand if you don't wanna be friends anymore, so you don't get beat up by them anymore." Topher says with tears in his eyes.
Brad just looks at Topher in amazement because he has never seen a guy stand up to a bully like that and be the bigger man and use his brain to fight back. "Topher, friend, I'm sure when the time comes we will have our revenge on those three numbskulls, but for now you took the high road and didn't stoop to fists, and for that I respect you. And I am honored to call you my friend. But I think I might skip the hanging out today so I can sit home on a block of ice, and recover from that beating we just took."
Topher was feeling that his beating was more vicious than ever didn't blame Brad for wanting to go home, but was moved by his friends words. It felt good to have a friend, and Topher didn't want to screw that up. Topher tells Brad, "I totally understand and I don't blame you at all. See you tomorrow man." And with that they split to go to their respective homes. When Topher got home his mom and dad were gone, but his sister was home from school.
"What happened to you!!!", his sister Krista said to him as soon as he walked in the door.
"Was it that Tommy again!", she interrogated him. "Doesn't he know beating you up is my job, it's my sisterly right!"
Tommy laughed and his sisters response and simply says, "Yes, it was him but please just drop it and help me get cleaned up before mom and dad get home. They don't need to see their son this way again for the last two days in a row." Krista put her anger away for the moment, but made a note to go head to Tommy's one of these days and return the pain he has caused her brother. Krista grabs a wash cloth and a ton of bandages, and helps clean up her brother as best as she could. Giving him a hug when she was all done, saying simply "I love you, and happy birthday Toph!"
"I love you too sis!", Topher says while returning the hug. Just then his parents come home and witness the bonding of brother and sister and warms their hearts and they smile. They were carrying wrapped presents and a cake, which Topher figured out was probably for his birthday. Topher runs to his Mom and Dad and give them big hugs. "I love you Mom and Dad", he says while hugging both of them. "Thank you for being the best Mom and Dad ever!"
Teresa looks at her son and notices the slight bulge on his right eye, the makeup Krista put on his eye to hide the black eye didn't work as well as they planned, but Teresa decided to let it slide, because she didn't want to bring up obviously painful memories of the day. Instead she simply looked at Krista and mouthed thank you, for helping her brother clean up after a long day it seemed. "Still want pizza for dinner tonight Toph for your birthday dinner?". Teresa asks her son.
Topher ecstaticly answers her, "Yes! Hawaiian please! Guess what Mom! I made a friend today. His name is Brad and he lives right down the street! Isn't that cool mom! Isn't it!"
Teresa excited to see a big smile on her son's face answers him, "That's great hon! I saw somebody moved into the old Smith house. Well maybe I can meet him tomorrow after school, but tonight let's just have the pizza with us tonight and some cake. Plus you got some pretty cool presents I can't wait for you to see. " And with that Teresa went to go order the pizza for dinner while her son went off to go lick his obvious wounds of the day, and play with his toys.
After dinner Teresa brought out Topher's cake, it was a Super-Dude cake but instead of an S on the chest it had a T for Topher. His family sang him happy birthday and he made a wish. He made a friend today, so he could stop wishing it for that, so instead he shot even higher this time. To become a real life superhero. He blew out the candles making the wish praying it would come true. Teresa handed him the first present, it was from his Mom and Dad it was a Nerf gun. Topher loved Nerf guns but he usually had no one to play them with, because Mom was always to busy, Dad was always at work, and Krista was a girl, and girls rarely play with Nerf guns. Next was a shirt from his sister, it had his favorite super hero team the Good Guys on it. Topher always loved the simplicity of their name. And then Teresa brought out a box that she didn't know where it came from. "This came in the mail today for you honey", Teresa tells her son. It was simply wrapped present with a card on top with a simple "happy birthday" and a colored in heart. With no name. Being eight years old Topher didn't really care he didn't know who it was from, he was just excited he got more presents like any eight year old boy would be. He opened it up, and there were a a pair of brand new super villian action figures. Dr. Dementia and Colonel Chaos. The two he didn't have yet, what are the odds he thought to himself.
Topher just stared at his family thinking to himself and replaying the day in his mind. To his parents it looked like Topher was dazing off, but he was just smiling and soaking in the day. He turned eight, gained his first friend, got his butt kicked and shuttered at remembering the pain once again, and got some pretty sweet presents for his birthday. All in all this might go down as one of the best birthdays ever, and he only turned eight. The only thing that would make it better is if his wife came true while blowing out the birthday candles. The wish of being able to fly, strength, speed, helping out the little guy. The wish of becoming the world's first superhero, and proving everyone he was right. Superheroes do exist.
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