Chapter 17: Good old days

3 years earlier.

Me and millie did not meet yet, I was not a bully back then, I was the victim, I was nothing.

I was just a scared boy, little did I know everything was about to change.

"Oh is that Tyler Ryder? What a stupid name? Did your parents choose to name you like that so we can laugh at you? Hahaha"

I couldn't even tell my dad what was happening, he would beat me for being weak, I was alone.

"What's with the long face?

Cheer up!"

With every sentence he said a punch followed and made me hate my life.

Suddenly some guy stood up for me out of nowhere.

"Hey, leave that guy alone, mind your own business"

"Ehh, nevermind, we got bored from this douchebag anyway"

And they left, was he stronger than them? Older? What I know that now I may not be alone anymore.

"Hi, my name is james did those guys bother you?"

"I-i'm Tyler"

"Cool name, heard it rhymes with your last name"

"Umm,.. T-thanks"

"I like you, wanna be friends?"

I couldn't believe it, why would he wanna be friends with me?

I was a weak guy, but now I have a strong person having my back against the bullies.

He helped me be strong, independent, he showed me how to fight and I started getting boxing lessons at his father's gym.

I was so grateful for his help.

"You are so much stronger now Tyler, a month passed and you improved a lot."

"Thanks to you"

I said smiling, I was so thankful.

I wish i have known what was about to happen, so I could change everything.

One day after school, James and I were walking home but he wanted to take a shortcut, said he was late for some errands, so I followed thought I could help him.

"Where are we?"

I asked

We stopped in the middle of an abandoned street.

He looked at me, a strong sigh escape his mouth.

"Look Tyler, I know I was a big help, but everything I did was not free"

"What do you mean?"

Suddenly, some familiar shadows appeared behind me.

I turn around, the same guys who bullied me before James's help where standing there.

"Hey there Ryder, miss us?"

"W-what? What are y-you doing here?"

I look over at James a little smirk on his face, I was confused.

"James, what is happening? What's all that?"

"Tyler, I am sorry, but this has to end. I can't be your bodyguard anymore you have to take care of yourself"

"What? And what are those doing here?"

One of the bullies responded,

"I'll tell you what happened my friend, James here was payed to help you to get stronger, but now that you trained, he stopped paying him, so James has nothing to help you with anymore, so he thought we could have some fun with you and see if all these trainings helped you in some way"

I couldn't believe what I heard

"James is that right? Who payed you to help me? Answer me!"

"Your father.

He knew you came home with bruises all over your face and asked me to help you"

My father? My own father did that behind my back? And he suddenly stopped paying him so James decided to side with my bullies?

I was overwhelmed, I couldn't think straight.

"Why are you doing that? What did I do to you?"

"Nothing, it's just that I am not earning money for training you anymore so me and the bullies wanted to have fun with you, now get ready to get out all of that training, let's see what you have learned"

One of the bullies ran up to me and punched me in the face, I didn't have the time to think, then a second then a third.

I tried to fight, but all I could do was defend myself.

"Good, your physical strength can hold a few punches but you haven't neither dodged them or fight them what are you waiting for?

I stood up, i won't give up, I am stronger I can defend myself come on, there are three bullies and James I can fight off at least two of them.

I was ready to fight again this time I won't just defend nor fall.

A guy tried to punch me, but I dodged and punch him in the stomach. He fell.

"My god, one punch and he is on the ground, nice jab"

I couldn't even look at him, I despised him, all he wanted was money, he didn't care or stopped a second to think about our friendship.

I tried then to put down another one but the bully held me from the neck and throw a knee strick on my lower abdomen.

Then I couldn't breath, and I started coughing blood.

It was the worst pain I could ever go through.

When they saw that I coughed blood they left me, scared that I would die.

From that day, I had trust issues, I didn't fully trust anyone.

Until I met Millie, she was the first one I really trusted, she made me happy like no one else could.

That day I promised myself to never show a weakness in me.

I then moved school, it was a great opportunity for me to get a new chance to be the strong guy in school, I trained hard in summer, made a strong body.

And who is the most respected person in high school? A bully. That's why I decided to be one, so I could be in control and everyone would be afraid of me

I wouldn't need anyone to come and save me, I pulled myself out of my own grave.

But I never beat up my bullies, I sweared I would never let them got through all the things I went through.

And that's when i started bullying Millie, the most innocet face, she was smart, brilliant, chubby but cute, it was hard, but I had to pass class and she was my only way.