They hit me - first in the face, then in the solar plexus. They threw me onto the frozen ground. Blood was flowing from my lip. I don’t know what would have happened next if it weren’t for him. The one I least expected.

"Don't touch her."

His voice rang out. Calm but confident. Bossy. It was impossible not to obey this. The group of girls beating me turned around in fear. They never expected to see the toughest guy in school, the one everyone was afraid of. Bars?