Back at the Start (02)

As the two of you move through the halls, you witness a pair of guys in letterman jackets harassing Riley McCabe. One of them - Teddy, you think - slaps at Riley's books to send them scattering along the floor amid their cackling.

Some kids stop to watch while others duck out of the way to avoid getting in trouble or the ire of Teddy and his friend. Belle starts to pull out her phone like she's going to record this.

What do you do?

"Of course!" I answer immediately, laughing a bit with her, glad she's not sobbing alone by a dumpster anymore. My attention is pulled away and my laughter fades, though, when I see Teddy and whoever messing with Riley. I don't really know Riley. I have no real reason to care about him, but seeing those guys pick on him makes my hackles raise. I feel it like literal barbs on my back, a protectiveness for people who are being beat down - by life or by the people in it.

My jaw tightens and I march right up to Teddy, shoving him in the chest with both hands. "Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Not that it would deter a titaness like you, but Teddy is a big guy. He's the star offensive lineman for the Pioneers. This is Teddy:


You rush up to try to shove him back from little Riley McCabe, but he doesn't move a step. He looks down at you and laughs as if you're a gnat. That's when you lose it for a moment and before you think better of it, you slap him right in the face. His head snaps to the side and everyone gasps at the sound of your mighty slap. When Teddy turns his chin to look down at you with a mix of shock and rage, you see it. The trickle of blood on his right cheek, coming down from the jagged little cut below his right eye. A cut you just gave him with that slap.

The pain registers on his face and he twitches a little. People are recording this altercation and you can hear some teacher raising his voice as he makes his way to the fight.

What do you do?

I cut him?! Dren, I didn't mean to go that far...even if he probably deserved it. With a crowd gathering and a teacher on the way, I go right into double-down damage control mode.

I narrow my eyes and lean in closer to Teddy, growling in a fierce whisper. "Better keep your mouth shut about that," I tell him. "Or I'll tell everyone you're a pussy along with being a bully."

I can't believe Senor Chang is just going to lead Teddy off with nothing more said. Is this some stupid "keep the athletes out of trouble" thing? Obviously Riley didn't just trip and spill his books all over the floor, and here Teddy is getting comfort for it?! My jaw tightens, but I realize that if I say anything, Teddy's likely to out my involvement right now too, and making him bleed definitely makes me look more like the bully here.

I narrow my eyes, watching them go but not stopping them. When they're out of earshot, I turn to Belle.

"Can you believe that!?" I ask her.

I look around and notice the phones pointed my way.

Greeat. From "crying girl" to this. I turn my face away, about to take Belle's advice when Riley appears in front of me. I can't very well just walk away from him when he's still looking like a freshly fallen leaf that's never been on the ground before.

"Don't worry about it," I tell him. "I just can't stand bullies. Are you okay?"

I glance again at the lingering cameras then back to him. "Well, I'm glad you think so," I tell him, trying to act normal and casual and like I didn't just make a big football player bleed. I even add a little laugh, hoping the stragglers will lose interest and move on. "Come on, we can walk to class together."

I glance back at Belle as we walk, but it's hard to keep an eye on her and watch where I'm going in the halls, so it's a fleeting and futile effort.

I laugh a bit at Riley's question. "You're the one who seems to know how to find them. You tell me."

The offer surprises me, and I'm about to tell him that it's no big deal. But then I remember seeing him get dropped off by the big security-looking guy, and I have to admit that I'm...curious. Who is Riley McCabe?

"I don't know about heroism," I answer. "But I'm not going to pass up a free meal. I have plans tonight already, but sometime soon, we can make that happen." I give him a quick smile.

I can't believe Riley thinks I'm popular. I mean, sure, I know a lot of people, but a lot of people also can't stand me, and that... Well...I guess that does sound like how popular people are. Huh.

Then he brings up his assistant and I have to try really hard not to act like that's the weirdest thing I've heard all day. "Uh. S-sure. Do you need my number or anything?"