Standing up to the bullies.

Thankfully, your classes were already over when you got Vivian’s message, but you would’ve come even if they hadn’t. You might be overreacting, but the thought that Vivian could even consider doing something drastic won’t leave your mind. You certainly thought of doing it at some point, even if you never acted on it.

This could be nothing, just some squabble between high school students, but it could also be something dangerous, and you’re not about to take chances when you can do something about it.

You’re already at the front gates of Vivian’s school. You text her, telling her to get out of school as soon as she can and look for you. She answers, which is good because it means that, at the very least, she still has her phone and nothing’s happened to her yet.

You see a group of girls come out of the gates and stand there, like they’re waiting for someone. You remember Vivian telling you her tormentors were cheerleaders, so there’s a good chance that’s them.

You see Vivian come out, but the first thing she sees is the group of girls. They look like they’re about to walk up to Vivian, so you act fast.

“Vivi!” You call to her loudly, using a nickname. You’re not that close, but you need everyone to think you are. “Over here!” You wave with a calm smile. You’re not exactly calm. Your heart is beating fast, but you feel in control of yourself.

Vivian sees you and runs directly to you. She gives you a meaningful look, wordlessly expressing her thanks.

“You ready to go?” You ask her.

“Y-Yes.” She answers hesitantly.

You want to just take her and leave, but that’s not good either. If you do, they’ll just do their thing tomorrow. You have to, somehow, dissuade them of doing anything at all.

The group of five girls walks up to you two with aggressive and hostile looks.

“Who the fuck are you?” The girl in the front asks, she has black hair and, as much as you hate to admit it, a very sexy body.

Her friends don’t even let you answer that questions, and they’re already backing the other up.

“We need to speak to Vivian for a bit, so why don’t you fuck off?” One of the says.

“You’re not even from this school. What are you doing here?”

“Look at him, he’s a looser, so of course he hangs out with a looser like Vivian.” They all laugh at that comment.

Aha, so you’re dealing with _those _kinds of girls. Alright, let’s see what you can do.

“I’m sorry, do you need something?” You ask, ignoring all their taunts. “Because if not, we need to be going.”

“Didn’t you hear us, you idiot? We need to speak to that thrash over there.” They’re obviously talking about Vivian, but you feign ignorance, of course. “Who?”

“God dammit, this guy’s a retard!” One of them says. “Vivian over there, of course.”

“Ah, her!” You say, feigning realization. “Sure, I can wait a bit.”

“Good. Now come with us, Vivian.”

Vivian looks at you worried, but you stop the girls before they can take Vivian away.

“You said you want to talk, right? Do it here.” You say. “Or is it something you can’t say in a public space?”

“What the fuck?”

You realize this approach is clearly not going to work. The first idea was to be there to support Vivian in her... "conversation" with these girls, but since it doesn't look like there's really much talking to be done, you go with the drastic measures from the get-go.

“Alright, let’s cut the charade.” You say, tired of all this. “Listen, this is veeeery simple. You lay a single finger on Vivian, and I’m calling the police to initiate a thorough investigation here.” You say nonchalantly.

“What are you talking about!?” The girls all laugh like you’re the funniest and most stupid guy around.

“I’m talking about the crap you’ve been pulling here. I’m asking you nicely to drop it now. If an investigation is opened, it’d be really easy to put you all in prison for harassment.”

“What, prison?” They keep laughing.

“Sure, there’s more than enough proof on Vivian’s notebooks. It’d be really easy to trace all those kind, handwritten messages back to you.”

The laughter stops, and they’re looking at you with icy glares.

“Listen, buddy, you don’t know who you’re dealing with.” The back haired girl says.

“I don’t know? Oh, I know very well who I’m dealing with. I’m dealing with a bunch of girls who haven’t realized they turned 18 and are therefore punishable by law. Start learning how the world works, girls, because your petty schoolyard squabbles will have very real consequences for you. But, hey, you don’t have to believe me. Try it for yourselves. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of people in this school who are more than willing to testify against you.”

You hadn’t realized, but there’s a small amount of people gathering around this scene and more are coming. Well, this means more witnesses, so hey, keep them coming.

The girls realize this too, however.

“God, this is dull. Let’s get out of here. This guy is so pathetic I lost all the will to do anything.” The back haired girl says, prompting her lackies to agree and follow her.

You sigh in relief, but before anything, you turn to look at Vivian. You can see the tension visibly leave her body as the bullies go away.

“So, shall we go?”

Vivian nods slowly. She’s still visibly shaken by the whole ordeal.

You both silently wait for the bus and get in once it arrives and sit together.

You’re startled when, out of nowhere, Vivian hold your hand and grips it tightly. You let her, selfishly enjoying the contact. This lasts the whole trip, even as you're nearing the apartment complex.

When you're right in front of it, Vivian speaks in a low voice.

“Can... Can you stay with me… for a while longer?” She asks. Tightening her grip on your hand.

“Sure.” You nod.

“Can we… go to your apartment? I don’t want mom to see me like this.”