out, I began walking out in the halls. I saw Claire and waved to her

school, I left as soon as I could. I shot my brother a quick text and

and slid the phone

I closed my eyes and let myself soak in the moment. It was nice to be walking

. All my stresses and worries were lost in an instant. Most people compla

e on the streets. It's lik

ainst one of the walls of a home in my neighborhood. He sauntered out

ingly large, muscular build. His eyes were two dif

f his right nostril to the top of his lip. His smile sent shivers up my s

n I finally found my feet and

hind him and yelled, "She's not hom

and replied, "It's o

d confused, becaus

be so nice. You have no part in this, and if I hear of you interfer

e was in my face. His breath smelled like tobacco,

t. I thought back to some of the s

kneed him in the groin. He doubled over, obviously not expecting me t

tched a lanyard from his pocket and took off,

rging towards me. I quickened my pace, wi

ave to grab

ong way home. Surprisingly, this guy managed to ma

and didn't stop until my key was in the lock

ook a deep breath. Without knowing it, I l

ve never met before, was chasing after me, yelling at me to 's

ing enough to have someone trail me down with th

I felt myself go to m

e. He always had to intimidate all my friends-boys or girls-not to hurt me. Sometimes, they

like a zombie and swung open

ked a deal with him that if he kept straight 'A's, he could join wrestling. I guess he

tation, plopped on his bed. He swiveled ar

hing, I mumbled, "How did

"Practice was canceled. I tried calling you and tried to pick

. The frustrated look of concentration melted

his studies, I hesitated. "Aren't you supposed

? I mean, seriously? When will I need to know about Taylor Poly

ng back at what just happene

e as I recounted what happened on the

and by the time I was finished, it felt

I handed him the lanyard I swiped with keys dan

D on it or some way of verification so I could tell the police or somethi

he keys and

now? You just got attacked! And for something you don't know what for. I know y

no. I'm not waiting for hours after school for yo

He responded, a fire

going to sit back and l

e. This is the one thing I'm going to ask of you. This guy is dangerous, an

the concern i

ble to get out. How bout this? You can come with me on my daily runs, a

ecause it had to do with my safety, but

thinking of

ng in for anything else, are you?" He waited until I shook my head before sighing ag

ied not to use the dangerous ones, even in training. I can't stand

tuck out my hand, "Deal." I pron