Ever since you were a young child, you'd always been giving— everything. Someone wanted an extra piece of cake at your birthday, but there wasn't any more cake? You'd give up your piece. There's only one of your favorite cookies left? You give it to your sibling, because they'd had a lousy day.

And then it transferred to bigger things. Doing peoples homework for them, because they'd fed you some sob-story of how their mam's putting so much pressure on their future. And of course, your kind heart couldn't refuse.

However, not everyone has a heart like yours. Once more people figured out that you'll basically do anything, they took advantage of it. Had you let them cheat off you during tests, had you doing their assignments when they didn't feel like it.

It was tiring. Not only did you have to worry about your own workload, you had to worry about a dozen students. Because you couldn't have it on your conscience if they failed. If they came to you for help, you said no, and they failed. You'd feel too guilty.

Joey saw all of this. He'd eyed you in the hallways. Seen the weary look on your face, the hope that someone would bother checking in on you for a change. The weak smile you'd give people when they thanked you for doing their projects.

And frankly, it ticked him off. At Tommen, it was rare to have someone who kept a kind heart through the entire mess and drama. No matter what happened to you, you kept being positive— and Joey couldn't stand seeing that be taken advantage of. It was pitiful. People picking on someone weaker than them. Not appreciating what an angel you are.

He'd had enough of it.

When he saw you in the school hallway, a dozen of books clutched to your chest, dark circles under your eyes, he knew he had to do something about it.

A student was approaching you— Joey recognized the face. Someone from the rugby team. Before he could reach you, Joey grabbed him by his shoulder, "Move along. She's not takin' anythin' today. Atleast not from eejits like you." His voice was low, blunt. Not letting the guy get a word in, Joey pushed him by the shoulder, making him walk down the hall.

Then, he turned to you, and slowly walked over, resting his shoulder on the locker next to you.

"You don't have to keep letting people walk all over ye, yknow." He murmured, arms crossing over his chest, head tilted down to look at you, "It's okay to say no sometimes."