Chapter 12: Confrontation

Monday. Worst day of the week, I was to lazy to do my hair, so i just put them in a messy bun.

I enter class there was two empty seats together I sat there to sit alone, i prefer sitting alone in class, Heather next to my row.

After 10 minutes of class Tyler enters and the teacher starts nagging

"Where have you been? We already started class, go sit down"

He didn't respond, closed the door and sat with the last benchers, but the teacher didn't approve

"No Tyler, I want you to sit next to..umm, Millie, here."

Without hesitation he took his belongings and sat next to me.

"Hey tigress" he said  I barely looked at him "Hey...", I agreed with myself that I was gonna take some space from him to clear my mind, so I ignored him, he then teased "This class is boring, wanna get out?"

I gave him the death stare and answered "No, just focus like everyone maybe then you wouldn't need me to get an A"

"I was joking, chill"

Shit, i looked at him he seems sorrowful, that was hard, why did I say that, I wanted him to give me space not hate me, all he did was apologising and being nice to me.

Then Heather talks to me, I wanted to ignore her too, so he wouldn't say I am mad at him and then I should explain myself, but ignoring Heather is worse she will start questioning me until i tell her, so I responded naturally.

The bell rang, he said "Millie, do you..." and I interrupts him by standing up and leaving class.

Tyler catch up to me he blocks my way, hold my arm and said

"Why are you ignoring me? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you in any way? Tell me."

I removed his hand and said "No, I'm just not in the mood today", his tone changed "Not in the mood for what?

You seem fine with Heather. Did I make uncomfortable?"

Remorse starting to feed up in his soul and he continued "Look, I am trurly sorry for what I did to you in the past, I know you didn't forgive me and maybe never will, but I have changed, I made a mistake and I am trying to change my behaviour, you are an amazing girl, and I understand if you will never want to be my friend."

My heart sank, I felt knives stabbing in my heart, he was blaming himself for the past, but if you think about it, it was not that bad, like these guys were about to hit me if not for Tyler, and at least Tyler never did, so there are victims being bullied and beaten up bad, honestly i am grateful Tyler was my bully not some psychopaths like these guys, I responded and after a deep breath

"Don't say that, I forgive you, I guess i forgave when you defended me, I really felt that you have changed I don't consider you my past bully anymore, you are my friend  and I am glad that we met again so I can fight my fears, thank you Tyler."

He smiled gently, I wanted to give him a hug but he turned and walked away, yelled "See you later tigress" so I yelled back smiling "See you later jerk".

After school I was looking for Heather to take me home, when these stupid guys showed up again "Hey black panter, or should I say tigress haha, how is your friend, is he still in the hospital?"

"Not that you care, but no he... Wait how did you know he was in the hospital?"

"Oh darling, he didn't tell you? We were the one who beat him up and send him there."

They started laughing, usually I am afraid of talking back cause you can imagine confrontation as a person in my mind and is locked up in a room, and has never got out of it, but when they said that they did this to him, confrontation got out confidently for the first time

"You assholes, you were a bunch of guys against one, you beat him up, broke his rib, and now you came back to harrass me, you morher fuckers, you are gonna regret you ever touched him".

He chuckles.

"Darling it was your fault, if you would just shut up and do as I told you last time he wouldn't have interfered and got beaten up."

Then I can feel Tyler walk behind me in my direction, he stands next to me, and stands up for me again.

After they beat him up how does he has this courage, this confidence

"What do you want?"

No, I can feel he is as afraid as I am, he is afraid they will beat him up again.

"Tyler, my man, how is your rib? Your girl here told us we broke it, what an achievement, right?"

He took a deep breath, but I responded instead

"If you go near me or Tyler again, I will throw you in juvie"

Tyler then supported me "Yes! She is gonna throw you in jail!"

The guy laughed and said "And how are you gonna do that sweetheart?"

Tyler than regretted and asked "Umm, yeah how are you gonna do that".

But confrontation was already in the room again, no it's not the time, get out, i need you, but then I remembered I needed to do that to keep myself and Tyler safe, so confrontation opened the door for the last time maybe and I threatened them

"Well, you see, my mother is a lawyer a very good one, and my father is a police men, specifically the captain, so one call and you'll be arrested, I advise you to walk away and never come near us again."

Tyler then smiled "You tell them girl"

They seemed mad but then walked away didn't want to take any risks.

Then Tyler turn to face me

"Where did you get that idea from? good thinking"

I looked at him "Tyler, I was not lying, it is true"

"Wait, really? Cool"

"Tyler, why didn't you tell me it was those guys?"

"I didn't want you to blame yourself for what happened, but it's okay look I am good now"

"Next time you don't hide things like this, cause it's related to me, deal?"

"Deal."

I feel bad for myself, that I confronted someone for the first time because of him, why couldn't I do it before to defend myself? Do I really care about him that much?