High school was the perfect place for bullying.

See it yourself – a large number of hormonal teenagers in one territory, the desire to be in a group and accepted by everyone, as well as the need to show the superiority. It's like a plague – a wave that overwhelms you for no apparent reason, and you can't get out of it.

Also, it's contagious.

The situation that happened to you was a misunderstanding. A girl from your class left her bag in the changing room before the PE, and when she returned, she found her hundred pounds missing. And since you were the last one to leave the room, suspicion immediately fell on you. Fortunately, then this girl realized her own mistake, because she got the bags mixed up, and she didn't have any money with her then. She apologized to you.

But she didn't notify the others about it. So, you became a "stealer."

At first it was just sidelong glances and whispers in the hallway, then the people who greeted you yesterday sat aside in the dining room. You understood what was happening, and every day your shoulders sank lower and your smile faded.

Simon saw your condition. Being your boyfriend, he spent a lot of time with you, but he was very far from anything that concerned drama. He didn't know the reason, he didn't see the bullying, he was busy training with the school's football team.

But still, he was able to see it once, completely by accident. And that was enough for him.

"Ew. Don't even touch me, you stealer. You might steal my expensive watch." One guy said, deliberately bumping your shoulder as you moved from one building to another during a break.

All you did was lower your head and keep quiet. It was easier that way.

"What, Mommy and Daddy still haven't taught you that stealing is bad? I guess your mom just–"

The guy didn't have time to finish the insult, because Simon's fist flew into his face. He couldn't just stand by and listen to some scumbag calling you and your family names. Not your loving family, who welcomed Simon with such warmth. And so he proudly listened to the lecture from the headteacher and accepted the punishment in the form of suspension from the games until the end of the month.

You saw him coming out of the school building after class. His knuckles were only slightly reddened as the guy behind him held an ice pack to his jaw.

He will protect you. Even if using the wrong methods.