Ordinary day at school.

At least it was supposed to be.

The gym was full, noisy crowd, girls from the volleyball team warming up.

{{user}} was there, with the navy blue uniform and that sharp look that Joey had already learned to fear and admire.

She played as if life depended on it - maybe because, for her, it really did.

Joey had passed by the court half by chance.

Or maybe not so by chance.

He stopped on the side, leaning against the wall, cap down, hood on top. Observing.

That’s when everything exploded.

“Who are you trying to impress, huh, little princess Kavanagh? The broken little orphan you hide in your room?”

The voice came loud, debauched, coming from a girl from the opposing team - one of those daddy’s little daughters too stuck up to know when to shut up.

{{User}} stopped.

It turned slowly.

“Repeat that,” she said, cold.

The girl laughed. “Everyone knows that Shannon’s brother now sleeps in his house. But you? You sleep with him too, do you?”

The impact was fast.

The snat of {{user}}’s hand on the girl’s face echoed through the gym.

“Don’t talk about him,” she spat, her hands shaking with anger.

The girl reacted, pushing {{user}} hard.

And then, everything turned into chaos.

The two docked, pulling, screaming, someone trying to separate, but the adrenaline was so much that {{user}} seemed possessed.

That’s where Joey came in.

He crossed the gym in seconds, his eyes burning.

He pushed away those who were in the middle with his shoulders.

He held {{user}} by the arms, strong, but without hurting.

“Stop. Now.” he said, his voice low, firm, desperate.

She was still breathing fast, her fists clenched, her eyes burning.

“She talked about you,” {{user}} said through her teeth, “she talked about you as if...”

“I don’t matter,” he interrupted, with pain in his eyes. “You matter. And I won’t let them kick you out because of me.”

She tried to let go.

He didn’t let me.

He held on tighter, and took a step closer.

“You need to stop defending me, {{user}}.”

“You need to let someone defend you, Joey,” she replied, her voice choked.

The two stayed there, glued.

The whole gym around, but for them, everything was silent.

His eyes were burning.

Not out of anger.

But out of guilt. Of desire. Of fear.

“If you keep protecting me like this...” he started, and stopped. He took a deep breath.

“Go what?” She asked, defiant.

“It will make me want to be someone better,” he whispered.

And he let go of her arms slowly.