Heart of Titanium

Chapter 21: Glass Bridge

February 9th, 2037
*7 Years Ago*

A young, smaller Bryce opens the door to his house, as he closes it shut swiftly. His face could be seen red, with hics in between sniffling.

"Bryson? What's wrong, son?" His father asked.

"The...the other kids...why do they have to be so mean..." Bryce said, tears in his eyes.

"Oh my goodness, are you okay honey?" His mom asks, wiping his tears away.

"I just...wanted a friend." Bryce said as his mom and dad grew a shocked look, looked at each other, then back to Bryce.

"C'mon, Bryce. Wipe those tears, you can talk to us-" His dad is interrupted by his mom elbowing him in the side with a stern look.

"Come here, come sit in the bedroom." His mom says, holding his hand all the way there.

They enter Bryson's bedroom, the walls being blue, with his junk tech pile in the corner, his wrench set, and a set of security bits.

Bryce's mother sits on the bed and pats beside her, as his father stands in the doorway, hands in his pockets with a concerned look for his son.

"Alright, now, tell me what's going on." She said, her sweet voice filling his ears as he leans his head against her.

Bryce sniffles as he wipes his tears. "T-there was this girl in class...she was really nice to me..." He stopped to take a breath.

His father comes into the bedroom. "A girl, hm? What's her name?"

Bryce looks up at his father, "Erica. She seemed really nice and...even played with me at recess...so I asked for her to be my friend...her friends laughed at us...she got a weird look, turned around and said 'She'd rather die than be friends with a loser like me...' Dad...am I a loser?"

Bryce's father's face changed dramatically, he grew a sad and yet concerned look. "No, son. You are not a loser. You're the brightest, sweetest boy I've ever met. Hah, and he's my son!"

Bryce giggled a little as he hugged his father, "You really think so?"

"Oh, I don't think. I know so. After all, you are my wife's kid. You've got her brains and her empathy. Even today..." He sighs and looks at her, "She even teaches me still." He said with a smile.

She smiled back with a little tear in her eye, "Say, this girl doesn't seem like she deserves your friendship. What do you say...we get your favorite food tonight?"

Bryce jumps up in excitement, "REALLY?! Your chicken parm?" He asked.

"Haha, of course!" She said, picking him up and twirling him around, "Now, go on and play. We'll get dinner ready soon."

Bryce runs out of his room to the living room as his father sighs and looks at his darling wife. "Can you believe a girl would say something like that to him? Sheesh..."

She shakes her head, "Can't blame her entirely. Maybe she'll grow out of it." She responded.

"Hope so." He says, sitting on the bed next to her.