The Hill Scene

Protector

It was a Monday morning and of course the girls had school. Ophelia had thought long and hard that night, worrying about what to do. She couldn't keep avoiding Alice, she didn't want to, she felt horrible for just letting her get picked on. Sure she always apologised for it, but there's only so many apologies you can say before it starts to mean nothing.
They didn't have their first class together but Ophelia still wanted to make an effort. She spotted Alice in the hallway, "Hey Alice." She smiled as she walked past to her class. It was a small gesture, but Alice appreciated it. Usually Ophelia would completely avoid her but this time she actually spoke to her in the busy hallways. This gave Alice hope, hope that maybe Ophelia wasn't afraid to not hide anymore, but there was still a long way to go.

Ophelia had made a constant effort throughout the day, talking to Alice whenever she could. Alice didn't see Ophelia at break but she understood, Ophelia was taking baby steps. It was now lunch and Alice expected to be alone. She wandered around the hallways, trying to avoid certain people from her classes that liked to pick on her. However as she turned the corner, there they were, the whole group of those boys. She quickly turned to change her direction but she'd already been spotted and they were already catching her up. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled back onto the ground. "Where'd you think your going!" One of the boys yelled as his friends laughed. Charlie was his name, he was the main offender. He picked on other people but Alice was his favourite. Alice's mother had always said "if he bully's you it means he likes you" but that did not seem like a likely situation right now. She didn't bother trying to get up of the floor, she'd only be pushed down again. She just sat there as they taunted and teased her. "Charlie." A small voice whispered from behind that they boys didn't seem to hear...but Alice heard it. "Charlie!" The voice spoke a little louder. Charlie spun around to find Ophelia stood here, fists clenched. "You wanna step away from my friend!"
"No thanks, I'm good." He said before turning back towards Alice. "I wasn't asking!" Ophelia yelled louder, coming closer. Charlie turned to face her, and so did his friends. Now she was the one who was surrounded. "What are you gonna do about it?" Ophelia didn't know, honestly she was wondering whether she'd have to punch this kid to prove her point and get him to back off, but she really didn't want to do that, violence wasn't her thing at all. Charlie kept inching closer trying to intimidate her. Ophelia took a deep breath and was about to raise her fist when a classroom door opened. "What's going on here?" Mr.Anderson asked them looking at the scene in front of him. "They were picking on Alice." Ophelia explained motioning to Alice who was still on the floor, looking as if she was about to cry but desperately holding it in. Mr.Anderson looked at them all before nodding and calling the boys to the office, letting Ophelia and Alice go. Mr.Anderson knew Charlie had a reputation for being a bully, so he didn't question it.

Ophelia helped Alice off of the floor and continued walking the halls. "Thank you Philly...I really do appreciate that." Ophelia shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "Of course, couldn't let anyone hurt my friend." They smiled at each other for a moment, just stood there alone in the halls. Alice was about to say something before the sound of the bell interrupted her and they had to go their separate ways for their classes.
Alice sat in her class thinking about what Ophelia did, she hoped Charlie wouldn't come after Ophelia next. She was happy that Ophelia wasn't ignoring her at school anymore, but she still wasn't confident that she would take the next step and tell her mother. Alice didn't mind that much, at least the could start hanging out at school again, she was happy with that for now.
Finally the final bell rang and Alice was surprised to see Ophelia waiting for her outside of her classroom door, smiling at her. "C'mon, let's hang out, it's been a long day."