Protecting Derpy Hooves

Derpy had left Foster to his thoughts. But what did Foster have to think? Well, for one, why did he choose to stop the teasing? Everybody else walked away, why didn't he? Did he have feelings for her? No, of course not. He just met her. Why? It must have been because it was wrong for that to happen to anypony. But that answer only left Foster hallow. It was right, but it didn't quite fit. Like a bag of chips not totally filled up. And you wonder where the missing chips are. But Foster wanted to find those chips. So he sat down at a nearby bench, and thought. He knew he would get in deep water with Dezzy, White Night, and Snapshot. Yet he consciously put himself in danger for that silly looking filly. They were ready to beat Foster up, for doing the right thing! He imagined himself if he hadn't ran. If he stood his ground. He'd probably be crunched up in a ball next to Derpy, while the trio laughed. Kicking him in the stomach here and there. They'd probably leave him there, too. Satisfied with their work. He pushed the scenario out of his mind. He didn't think it was very healthy to dwell on what could have happened. Back on topic, Foster thought, I need to narrow this down. What he been feeling when he first saw the bullying? Not fear, especially not happiness. Guilt? Did he save her out of guilt? That seemed pretty sad to him. Foster only saved her so he wouldn't be weighed down with the thought of not. No, that couldn't have been it. That's not the kind of child momma Foster raised. And he wouldn't turn in to that, either. So he pushed that thought away. Sorrow? No. Contempt? Celestia no. Foster became frustrated. He couldn't find an answer! This was gonna nag him the whole day. With a sigh of defeat, he got off the bench.

"Heeeellllooo!" the voice seemed agrivated. He looked around to see who it was. He followed the sound to find his mother, waving a hoof in his face.

"Welcome to the land of the living, love," his mom said. No matter what the situation, she always had something sarcastic to say. And Foster loved that.

"Oh, hey, mom. What's up?" Foster said.

"What's up? I've been trying to get your attention for a while, now! Don't you 'what's up' me," she said putting her hoof down after realizing it was still waving.

"What's got you thinkin' so deep?" She asked. Foster thought about telling her what has happened in the last half hour, but he refrained from doing so. What was he gonna tell her? 'Well, I saw people bullying a filly so I broke it up but not before I got threatened to be beaten up so I ran away with said filly and then we ended up here. She thanked me and left.' Actually, that sounded like a reasonable thing to say. But if she heard the part about him almost getting beat up, she'd nag him about who they were 'til she died. Hearing that your only child got threatened didn't sound like something she'd take lightly. And if he did tell her, she'd probably do Celestia knows what to them. And the guy who tatled did not sound like a good reputation for a new guy. What could he tell her? What explanation could fit for a kid like Foster being his age?

"Thinking about how I can get out of school," he said, satisfied with his choice. His mom actually seemed to be thinking about whether or not he was serious. I guess she decided not because she shook her head and smiled.

"I'll drag you there if I have to," she said with a wink. Then she laughed and gave Foster a noogie and put her arm around his neck.

"I love you, Foster. You know that, right?" she asked, kissing Foster on his head. Foster looked up at her and smiled.

"Like you have to ask. Of course I love you!" Foster said, hugging his mother.