3

Milly sat on the bench alone. She’d ducked out after her last lesson. She was supposed to meet Kacey but she’d been on the edge because of everyone’s torments this morning and she just wanted to be left alone. She was begging to think these self-defence lessons were not going to work and that they’d be a complete waste of time. His shadow overcast hers before he sat down. ‘Why are you alone Milly?”

“I wanted to be alone.”

He nodded.

“Don’t you have work or something instead of being here with me?”

He chuckled. “My work is done for now until two, then I’m going to the gym. I saw you sitting alone so I thought I’d come and say hi.”

“Well, now you have, you can leave.”

“Whowh, what’s with the attitude today?”

“I’m sorry I’ve just had a bad day.”

“So tell me about it. Maybe I can help.”

“I don’t know.”

“Try me.”

“Okay.” She said, taking a deep breath.

She began to tell him how terrible her morning had been and what the kids in her class had been doing to her and the rude comments about her weight and how ugly she was. He sat listening. He couldn’t believe how cruel they could actually be towards another human being. Actually he could. He and his brothers had gone through the same thing. It seems no one was scared of their mafia background but they had soon become unstuck when they had all retaliated. “I don’t think these self seemed classes are going to do me any good.”

“They will, Milly.” He looked at her, placing his hand in hers. “I have an idea, but you may not like it.”

“Anything is better than the way this place is making me feel right now.’

He smiled. “I’ll take you to a place I know tonight, okay, and you can see what I do and how I got all of this okay.” He smiled, grinning.

“Okay.”

“But.”

She looked at him. “You’ll have to put your all into it. If you’re interested, I’ll make a full dietary plan so you’ll be fit and healthy too. I know you mentioned losing weight even though I like you as you are, you need a healthy diet to do what I’m going to show you if that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, anything to stop the bullying.”

“If that doesn’t work, then tell them you’ll set your boyfriend on them.”

She looked at him. Gapping. “You…you.”

He smiled. Moving forward. “I really like you Milly. I’d like to get to know you a little more if you let me.”

She nodded. Still in shock.

He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her. She returned his kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him, kissing her passionately.

“Ergh.” Kacey coughed loudly.

Daniel moved away from Milly. To a smirk on Kaysey’s lips. “So this is where you’ve been hiding and sneaking to to meet your boyfriend.”

“It’s not like that.”

“So what was it like then? I went to the cafeteria for lunch and you weren’t there.”

“I’m sorry Kacey, it’s been a bad morning. I came here for some time alone. Daniel came over to talk, that’s all.”

“I can see that.” She said, starting to laugh.

“How are you Kacey?”

“I’m cool.”

“I was just saying to Milly if she wanted to hit these bullies hard there’s a place I go to your welcome to come.”

“I just might.’

“Cool.”

“Orlando will be there too. He teaches kids in the same situation as you about how to deal with their bullies.”

“I already know how. They just don’t know how to back the f**k down.”

He smiled. “Okay, well just be there for Milly then.”

“I will be.”

“I’ll see you both at seven at the Phoenix Auditorium.” He said, getting up. “You do know where that is right?”

“I do, we’ll be there.”

“Cool.” He leaned forward, kissing Milly on the forehead. “I’ll see you tonight.”

She nodded and he walked away.

Milly looked at Kacey a little uneasy. “Isn’t your brother going to be there tonight?”

“He’s always there, Mil.”

“I know, but does he know you know who he works for?”

“No they don’t know.”

“Isn’t that all a little bit risky?”

“It is.”