My Best Friend

My Hero

Thomas watched as Charlie tied a rock to Jesse's body. They dragged the body from the school and threw it in the back of the truck. Now they were at a creek ready to dump the body.

"You were sloppy, Tommy", Charlie said.

Thomas tilted his head confused. What did that mean? Was it because he couldn't hide the body himself?

"Look at ya, boy. Ya got blood everywhere. I'm gonna have to teach ya to be more neater."

He was starting to feel a little scared. Did that mean Charlie wasn't mad at him? What did he mean be more neater? He approved of this? Thomas only killed Jesse because he crossed the line. He had gotten used to all the bullying, but he had no right to mess with Mindy. Charlie pushed the body into the creek where it sank to the bottom.

"Come on, Tommy", he said. "Let's go check on your little friend."

Thomas nodded as he ran back to the truck. He hoped Mindy was alright. Had she woken up yet? Thomas whined as he watched Charlie take his time getting into the truck. He stopped by the bushes to use the bathroom taking his sweet time. It was times like this Thomas wished he could drive. He would never have to wait for Charlie like this.

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"Hush, little baby don't say a word

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird"

"Mama?" Mindy moaned.

She opened her eyes to see Luda Mae wrapping her head in bandages.

"Mrs. Hewitt?"

"It's alright, dear", Luda Mae said. "You can call me Mama if you want. I'd be honored if you do. I never had a little girl of my own."

Mindy smiled as she closed her eyes again.

"How did I get here?" she asked.

"Tommy brought you here. He carried you all the way from school and protected you from those boys. My brave boy."

"Tommy is brave, isn't he? Where is he now?"

"He's with Charlie", Luda Mae answered. "They're fixing whatever Tommy did."

"What did he do?"

"He must've gotten into a fight or something", she answered. "When he brought you here, he had blood on him!"

"Blood?" Mindy gasped. "Is he alright? He's not hurt, is he?"

"No, he doesn't have a scratch on him. It was all the other boy's blood."

The door opened as Thomas and Charlie walked in.

"Tommy!"

Thomas looked at Mindy and ran to her side. Her eyes widened as she saw the mask he wore over his mouth and nose. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers across it.

"What are you wearing?" she asked.

"Do you like it?" Luda Mae asked.

"I think it's a nice mask. But, Tommy..."

She pulled the strings that tied the mask behind Thomas' head and pulled it away.

"I like your face. I want to see you, Tommy. The real you. I don't want to see you hide behind a mask. You're too brave for that."

Thomas began blushing. He smiled and shook his head. He didn't think he was brave. He always wanted to hide at home and never let anyone see him.

"Tommy, you are brave. You were so brave if you protected me from Jesse."

Mindy took his hand in hers and squeezed it in encouragement.

"You're my hero, Tommy", she said. "You're my hero."

Thomas looked at their hands together and at Mindy with wide eyes. He had never been anyone's hero before. Mindy pulled his hand toward her face and let him touch her face. Thomas gently ran his hand across her face. Her skin felt so soft, much unlike his own.

"Thank you, Tommy. I owe you my life."

He looked at her confused. What would she do now?

"Tommy, for what you did, you deserve a reward", Mindy said. "Close your eyes."

A reward? Thomas killed a boy. He didn't deserve a reward of any kind. Obeying Mindy's order, he closed his eyes. He opened them again when he felt soft cool lips pressed against his cheek.