Changes to Bryce pov

I remember the day like it was yesterday, maybe because that's when everything changed for me.

It was cold, it was cloudy, and a gray sky covered the playground like a water damaged roof.

"Look at this loser with dyed hair, you look so emo!" The older kids laughed.

"W-what's wrong with it! Blue is my favorite color, and it makes me look like I'm from a comic book!"

"Comic books haven't been popular in decades, you should just cut your hair and get rid of that."

"N-no way man, my mom spent a long time doing this!" I yelled back.

"Awww don't pee your pants now little buddy, I don't want you throwing a tantrum." They said mockingly, shoving me to the ground.

"And what's with the hoodie? It looks so gray and faded, can your parents not afford something better?"

"Well money is hard right now... but still I don't think it looks bad, does it?"

"Can you stop being so optimistic? You're really annoying me, you know, how about I just cut that blue out of your hair!" One of the older kids said.

"What! N-no, leave me alone!" I got up from the ground and tried to run away before slipping and falling onto my face.

"Poor baby, can't even stand up straight, you really are pathetic you know that!" whilst kicking me.

I was nothing, I was alone, I was scared, I was helpless.

That’s who I was, people found me weird, I was too quiet for most, and most of my clothes were thrifted but I didn't mind. Mom and Dad worked hard, they worked hard for me to make sure I could have the essentials I needed for school.

"Don't you guys have something better to do then to pick on a 1st grader? You guys are almost in 4th grade, just leave me alone!" I yelled.

"Are you talking back to me? You know what tough guy!" He picked me up by the collar of my shirt, holding me off the ground.

"Let go of me, put me down!" I said, beginning to cry.

When was the last time I cried? Probably that day, it's been a long time since I've cried. I never really saw the purpose. If I was strong I didn't need to cry. I told myself I'll be stronger.

I could have used my Deviation, but my parents warned me about using it in public, that people like me weren't accepted, that there were groups who looked for people like me and wanted to experiment and learn more about me.

"Huh? I can't hear you little buddy, do you wanna speak up?"

"Let g-"

"Don't care! Hey one of you guys, grab the scissors, let's finish this already." The bully said.

I started screaming and closed my eyes as one of the kids gave the biggest bully a pair of scissors. I wanted to fight, but how could I? I was small, weak, and insignificant.

Nowadays, thoughts like these don't cross my head anymore. Why should they? I can protect myself now, I've never not been enough.

But was this why I became strong?

For myself?

No I don't think that was it.

It was because, well because of him.

"Hey why don't you guys put him down huh?, it isn't nice to pick on someone who can't defend themselves." A mysterious voice said.

I opened my eyes to see a small kid, with kinda spiked hair, a red shirt, and brown khakis shorts in front of me.

"Are you okay? I saw these guys bothering you, did you need help?"

I nodded my head quietly, still staring at the ground.

"Who do you think you are? Can you get lost and leave this emo freak alone?" The bully snickered.

The kid ran at the bully throwing a flurry of punches that seemed to hardly bother the bully.

"Uhm,really?  This was your big plan?" He tossed the scissors to the floor laughing wildly. Dropping me on the ground, before punching the kid, and kicking him to the ground.

"Look, this has nothing to do with you, you should just mind your own business." The bully said

"I- I'm so sorry, you got hurt because of me!" I said while starting to tear up.

Just then the kid coughed, and dusted himself off getting up from the ground.

"I'm fine! I'm invincible after all! There's not a beating I can't take!" The mysterious kid said. He got up from the ground rushing at the bully again jumping on top of them before being slammed to the ground and kicked again.

“I’m not d-done yet!” he said, throwing more punches. But the bullies just held out his arm, holding him by the head while he swung at the air.

“You’re so lame, get lost! You’re really starting to annoy me!” The bully said punching the kid in the face and spitting on him.

The kid got up again, wiping blood from his mouth, before a grin appeared on his face.

“I’ll never let you hurt innocent people, as long as I’m around there’ll always be someone to save the day!” He declared.

The bully punched him again, as the kid kept grabbing his arm before being tossed and stomped on again, but kept getting up, he kept fighting.

“You damn freak! Aren’t you tired.” The bully said out of breath.

“Nu-uh not a chance!” The kid said with a bruised face, and a smile on his face.

“Pfft whatever, you got it, you and this emo kid can have each other!” he said stomping off with his friends leaving us there.

“I’m s-so sorry! You got hurt protecting me and now you’re all beat up!” I said crying.

“Hmmm? you don’t need to thank me! I saw those bullies messing with you, plus they were making fun of you for a stupid reason. I like your hair, the blue makes it look unique, just like the comic books I read.” the kid said.

He grabbed my hand pulling me up from the ground, before walking over to a set of swings. 

He motioned for me to come over, so I did.

“Do you come to this park often?” the kid asked.

“M-mhm, I don’t live too far from here.” I responded quietly.

“That’s so cool! I just moved here recently, so I don’t have too many friends! But you look like a super cool guy, I would love to be yours!” he said.

“Hmm? You want to be my friend? You don’t think I’m weird, or some type of loser?”

“Of course not! Plus my father is always very busy, he’s a scientist! He’s super cool, one of my greatest idols, he’s hoping one day he can find some company that could appreciate his work!” he said with a smile.

It was something about his smile, something I wanted to see again. 

“M-my name is Bryce… Bryce Anderson.” I said quietly.

Just then the clouds disappeared and the sun started to shine through, revealing a rainbow in the sky.