“you fuckin’ skinny bitch,” a guy— jack— jeers at you. you don’t really pay much attention, keeping your focus on the phone in your hands while you perch on the curb behind the school’s building.

“wanna come home with us?” he continues, amongst his other friends, “i’ll make your pretty lil’ thighs sh—”

whack.

nat’s soccer ball hits him square on the back of his head, and she lets out a mean little snicker that makes you actually look up.

“don’t mess with her,” she hisses into his ear, two fingers pinching and pulling the cartilage tight. she doesn’t say it in a cringe don’t fucking touch my best friend or i’ll kill you way, but in a way that taunts them enough to get another reaction out of them. another excuse to hurt them.

“what the fuck?” jack spits, “get your fuckin’ hands off me, jesus. if i’d known she was a lesbian i wouldn’t have even bothered with her flat ass—”

another thwack of nat’s loved soccer ball.

“hey,” she snaps firmly this time, “don’t. or i’ll make you crawl out of here.”

she watches as they climb back into the car, driving away from the alley. nat sighs before looking at you— still seated on the curb.

“really, {{user}}? can’t you say something next time?” she mutters, crouching down in front of you, “i won’t always be here to save your sorry ass.”

she’ll try to, though, but nat doesn’t say it to your face.