Young Writers Society

    There goes Calloway, running through the halls with his cape trailing behind him as always. Only a single teacher has the heart to tell him not to run as he would any other student. He’s new, Parker deduces, he doesn’t know what happened to Calloway in second grade. He doesn’t know that there’s apparently a special way to treat him because of it.

    Parker then notices the superhero comic clutched in Boy Wonder’s hands. The same grease and condiment stains have been there since Mrs. Harty’s class in elementary. He’s probably memorized every line, every word on those pages front to backby now. He gives Calloway one last glance before turning around to head to class. He almost shoulders one of the worst kids in sixth grade, Grady, and his particularly evil looking goonies; all sporting shady grins. The goon he accidentally bumped into gives his shoulder a sharp shove without even looking.

    Parker releases a breath he didn’t know was holding, but then catches it again when he hears something hit the lockers behind him with a squeal. He doesn’t want to turn around. He has to. He should.

    “What is that, Under Boy?” He hears Grady sneer, jeering some laughs from his boys.

    “A-a comic.” The fear in Calloway’s voice makes him cringe. Superheroes are supposed to be brave. Parker’s ears perk when he hears the bully’s grating cackle.

    “A comic?” He recreates his whimper. “Is it about you? A fake superhero still searching for his father? You won’t find him, you know. Trust me.”

    Parker’s heart sinks to his stomach. He knows? He finally turns around and immediately regrets it when he sees the look on the Calloway’s face. Giant tears well-up in the corners of his misty eyes, his entire face turning the color of his mask. Before he can even stop himself, Parker rushes to the fallen hero’s side.

    “Go away, Grady. Don’t you have a teacher to chew out?”

    “What, are you his sidekick now? The Loser and His Reject.” Parker glances at Calloway, the boy’s eyes wide and expectant.

    “That’s exactly what I am.” He can’t help but smile when he sees relief wash over his new comrade’s face. He then notices the grouchiest teacher scanning the hallway behind him and he gives Boy Wonder a wink before yelling out, “Mrs. Barker, Grady won’t leave us alone!”

    “You’re so petty!” Grady shouts, giving Parker one last shove before running away. Calloway rubs his eyes with the back of his hands as he tries to control his heaving. When he finally composes himself enough he glances up at his sidekick; giddy to be able to finally call somebody that.

    “Why did you help me?”

    Parker shrugs, “Even superheroes need saving sometimes. So, ugh, what do we do now, Partner?”

    It was then he saw the biggest grin stretch across Boy Wonder’s face for what seemed like the first time. “I saw Fiona Lewis giving Devin Strump a wedgie.”

    “Alright, let’s go save him.”