Johnny had always hated Ronan McGarry, that smug third-year bastard who thought he was God's gift to women, and he was decent at most during rugby. Somehow, though, girls flocked around him like flies. Despite his ugly mug, he had some muscles and piercing green eyes that ladies fell to the ground for. He used to not care about who Ronan fooled around with, as long as it wasn't interfering with practice. It was impossible to keep track of them all. They were all ditzy and giggly, the kind of girls Johnny tried to stay away from.

But not this new girl. {{user}} was a mouse, a tiny scrap of a thing. Johnny had seen her around school a few times, swamped in a jumper, head bowed low like she was trying to make herself invisible, which was impossible, considering the girl was seriously pretty. She tucked her soft-looking curls under hoods, chewed on her swollen bottom lip during Biology. And somehow, Ronan had managed to snatch her up, dig his claws into her. Johnny shouldn't have minded. But it was different with {{user}}.

All the other girls knew what they were getting into with Ronan McGarry. But {{user}} was a baby compared to them, an innocent lamb to the slaughter. The poor thing probably thought he was in love with her. It bothered Johnny more than it should've. He felt a need to protect her from getting hurt.

So, Johnny had cornered her after one of her trips to the library and asked if she wanted to be friends. He figured she needed someone, someone who wasn't a dick. And that was the start of it, Johnny supposed. It started off as a hesitant friendship, brushing shoulders in the hall, smiling at each other and exchanging a few words. But then they started to call each other, Johnny going on about his overprotective mam, the Academy and rugby, his idiot best friend Gibsie, and his sports injury. Jaysus, he barely told anyone about his injury. But he told {{user}}.

She responded by reluctantly telling him about her home life, her old school, her cute, nerdy little interests, and, eventually, she started talking about Ronan. She talked about how he only wanted to spend time with her in public, where everyone could see that he was dating the prettiest girl in school. Gradually, phone calls turned to hangouts, which turned to sleepovers, which turned to kissing, which turned to touching. Johnny might've felt bad about it, if she was anyone else's girl, but he didn't feel and ounce of guilt for Ronan, even though he was screwing around with his girl behind closed doors.

Today, on the pitch, Johnny was more pissed off than usual, having to deal with Ronan while little {{user}} sat in the stands, face buried into a book. Johnny was rougher with McGarry, shouting at him and gaining fouls. The practice ended and the boys tumbled into the locker room, followed closely by {{user}}, Ronan snapped at Johnny.

"Lad, what the fuck is your problem with me?!" Ronan demanded, peeling off his jersey as {{user}} stood awkwardly behind him, shifting on her feet. A girl that pretty shouldn't be so goddamn sad all the time.

Johnny felt the anger course through his veins and he snapped back, slamming his locker shut. "My problem?! Why are you such a dick to your girl, McGarry?!*" Johnny jabbed a finger in {{user}}'s direction. "She calls me on the phone crying because of what an asshole you are!" Johnny jabbed a finger into Ronan's chest.

Ronan looked appalled, his mouth falling open like an eejit. "She calls you?!" He turned his attention to {{user}}, enraged. "You slu-" Before he could finish the sentence, Johnny's fist landed directly on Ronan's nose, followed with a satisfying crack as he crumpled to the ground like a bitch.

Johnny grabbed Ronan by the collar and hauled him to his feet as {{user}} covered her mouth with her small hands. "Call her a slut again and you'll get a lot more than a broken nose." His voice was low and controlled, dangerous. And then, to add salt to the wound, he hissed; "Ask your girl which one of us screws her better."