SEVENTY

I went for lunch and saw Ruby. She went to sit alone at a corner of the large dining hall. It wasn't long before boys went to her and fought for who gets the right to console her, she just stood up and left.

I knew she'd leave if I went to sit by her so I also went to sit alone.

I felt something hit my feet and looked down to see...

"Alister?"

He yelped and jumped then his head hit the table.

He started suffocating but couldn't find his inhaler.

I saw it on the floor below another table and ran then slid on the floor and picked it up.

I ran to him and gave it to him and he inhaled then gasped and tried to run away but I blocked him then asked,"I don't get it, why do you act like that? You just start socializing then you run away, why?"

By now he was shivering like he was wearing a tank top in the middle of a Canadian winter, then he stuttered,"I- I- I have got t- t- to go."

He pushed past me and walked away. He was strange.

I went for Art class and started my painting, I saw Alister was in my class so I threw him a note.

He picked it up and freaked out without reading it. He looked around to see who threw it to him then threw it away.

I was beginning to lose all hope in this kid.

We had Equestria next and we were playing polo.

Alister was in my team.

I rode thunderclap and he was amazingly fast. He helped me get the ball much of the time.

During halftime, Apollo and his group came to me and said,"You're a good player...but I want to win so you'd better lose or face the consequences."

By now, I wasn't that scared of bullies so I rather played even better.

After class, Apollo and his group pinned me to a wall in the hallway.

Andrew did an evil smile and said,"Thanks for choosing the hard way."

He threw a fist at me and I tilted my head to the side so he missed and hit the wall.

He yelped in pain then gave up, he told the last one whose name turned out to be Axel, to punch me.

Axel threw a fist and I turned to the other side and his knuckles collided with the wall.

He also gave up and let Apollo come next.

Apollo threw his fist and I dodged again but he was ready for it. He turned his arm towards my mouth and I opened wide and bit his knuckles...it was a reflex.

He yelled in pain, telling me to let go but I didn't.

He tried to hammer fist my cranium but I let go and removed my head and he hit his already aching fist.

The other two let go in shock and I licked my teeth then said,"Tasty."

They dropped their jaws in horror and I massaged my wrists while saying,"Now it's fair."

Apollo threw another fist and I ducked then tore off his belt and kicked him in the belly. He stumbled backwards and tripped on his trousers and fell on his butt.

Andrew and Axel attacked at the same time and I dodged both and they punched each others' noses.

I jumped and spin kicked them both and they also fell on their largest muscles.

Andrew yelled,"You're a freak!"

I said calmly,"I'm not a freak, I'm a freak of nature."

They scampered away in fear.

I turned back and walked to the class I was late to.

I was sent to detention for late coming but I didn't care, those bullies got the message.

After recess, I saw the three musketeers bullying another kid.

They stomped on his glasses and tore his books and were about to lock him in a locker when I saw his face...

Alister.

I tapped Apollo's back and he turned and saw me.

He widened his eyes and I said,"Split bozo this kid's my friend."

The three of them ran away and the whole hall was filled with cheers for me.

I helped Alister out of the locker and told him his glasses were broken.

He brought out a new pair from a case in his pocket and said,"Thank you."

I thought he always stutters.

I said,"You're welcome."

"But why would you be so nice to someone like me? I'm a nerd, I'm weird, I can't socialize, I stutter without warning and other reasons for me to be less of a human and more of a charity project."

"Because I used to be like you. My name is Tommy Hawkins, how about you?"

"I'm Alister Franks. Are you related to Mark Hawkins?"

"Yeah, he's my elder brother."

I said that so I wouldn't have to talk too much.

He looked at me and said,"Mark Hawkins is your brother? I know everything about him."

"Of course you love his clothes."

"Not that, he saved my mother's life."

"...how?"

"Well..."

The bell rang for the next period. That was the worst timing ever!

We went to our next class which was English and I saw Ruby going to her class.

I couldn't take my eyes of her then I realized Alister looked sad.

I asked him why before the teacher came in and he said,"I've had a crush on Ruby since the first day she stepped into this school three months ago. But she'd never notice me, only someone like you would have a chance with her."

You have no idea...

I felt sorry for him, then got an idea.

I was teaching Ruby the alphabet in the library then I said,"Ruby."

She looked at me.

"We'll need your English textbook for you to learn, it explains in far greater detail."

She arched a brow and asked,"Wouldn't there be a copy of it in here?"

"Yes but it will take forever for us to find it in a library this big."

"Then we can use one of the computers."

I took a deep breath and said,"Come on, please?"

She stood up and left.

Ruby went to her locker and opened it then was stunned.

It was put in order and had been customized.

There were red roses everywhere and ruby sequins.

It was sprayed beautifully and had a white envelope with a heart shaped seal binding it.

There was also a box of chocolates and a white teddy bear with an ' I love you ' message, printed on a red heart on its chest.

She opened the envelope and it read;

Your eyes are so deep, the ocean becomes shallow in your presence.

They are like jewels, stones that any tycoon will treasure.

Your hair falls like the scarlet curtains of the tabernacle of meeting.

Your beauty, is uncomparable in all the world.

Men will definitely give you treasures I can't give, but I will give you my heart.

Love, your secret admirer.

She knew she had uncountable admirers, but no one had ever done something so sweet to her before, she had to find out who it was.