𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫. (turning red; miriam x meilin fic)

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

6K VIEWS? And all the support I've been getting from you guys? Thank you for making my dream come true. I love you.

I've never written anything about conflict so I'm nervous this may come out bad, but I'm doing it for you! :)

Trigger warning for this chapter as it has blood, fighting and some battle action. I know that's a spoiler but I had to put a TW just in case :)

MIRIAM's POV

It all happened so fast. She sent the signal, and simultaneously all of us flew into a state of fight-or-flight. I never knew much about that guy, but I do know what Tyler has told us about him. Before Tyler began hanging with us, he was hanging with a group of knuckleheads who took advantage of his desire to be accepted. He just wanted a group of friends that he could trust and that considered him worthy. These groups — apparently — did, but rewired his brain into thinking he had to please them by joining into their wrong deeds.

And the wrong deeds got wrong — beating up other kids, stealing from the elderly, stealing information from the front office at school, all the way to keying somebody's car. They operate on a basis where each boy has their turn to do a wrongdoing, and the better they operate it the kinder the group treats them. Tyler had lost himself in a cycle of sacrificing his own morals for acceptance until he didn't recognize himself anymore.

You can imagine my utter horror when Landon slapped Meilin, causing a loud echo. The entire class erupted into screams, shouts, and even some knuckleheads cheering in excitement. The rest of our friends were screaming; Priya bursting into tears, but I was the fastest one to spring to action.

Everything on my desk collapsed from the way I shot out of my seat — my notebook and three pencils crashed onto the ground and my backpack ended up flying across the room from the sheer force of me. Everything was moving in a blur — I couldn't see straight but more like in fast glimpses of objects around me. Sort of like when you're driving fast in a car. The heads of students around me, the lights atop the ceiling, and chairs flying as everyone crowded around the scene.

The next thing I knew is that I was beating the shit out of Landon Matthews. I didn't even realize what I was doing — it was like ever since he threw that slap some unknown force possessed my body. I positioned myself on top of him and threw continuous punches anywhere I could. His stomach, his face, his stupid jawline, even a strong hit to his eyeball. I put my most force into that one.

Meilin rolled onto her knees after being smacked onto the ground and was now begging and pleading for me to stop, face stricken with tears. She reached out for me but I had her blanked out. All I saw was red, and my fists whipping back and forth as I punched his head from left to right.

"Come on man, please!" Landon choked out, spitting some blood and attempting to sit up. As soon as he propped his elbows down I stomped on his stomach and that sent him right back down. I was on a high of thrill and adrenaline. Nobody fucks with my girl. My girl.

"MIRIAM YOU'RE GONNA GET EXPELLED!" Screamed Priya as she rushed to Mei's support. She helped her up and rushed her outside, likely to the nurse's office.

Before they could even make it out the door, another fast flash whipped through and knocked Meilin to the ground. I still wasn't done though. I didn't consider myself done until Landon finally crawled away from me, looking completely fucked up. Then I was happy. I realized once my dizziness subsided and I was back to Earth, that Abby had been beside me fighting him off too. That's my girl.

"And when you ever fuck with my girl or any other girl in this class again, just know that you don't do it in front of me. I'll take your ass out forever, you hear me?"

Abby was still in a state of adrenaline but even then still managed to stare at me with wide eyes.

"Fine, man! You're a psycho, you bitch!" Landon cried and spat blood at me. I dodged and kicked him again.

"Fuck with my girlfriend get your ass killed," I murmured in hatred before I finally grabbed Abby's hand and stomped away.

I was a mess of panting, sweat, blood from Landon's face and anger. We walked into the hall where I crashed onto my knees in exhaustion, not even realizing how much I had burnt myself out. But it was worth it. He hurt Mei.

"Miriam," Abby said. "You just called Meilin your girlfriend, you know that right?"

Oh my god, did I?

Oh my god, I did.

My facial expression matched Abby's, one of utter shock and also exhaustion.

"Look, i know you're tired so I'm not gonna question you right now. Just know that's gonna catch up with you later if they think you guys are dating. We have to go find Priya and Mei, okay? I hate to tell you this but... Mei passed out."

"PASSED OUT!" I exclaimed in horror, then realizing that I did see in a blur across from me yet another guy jump-kicking her and sending her weakly to the ground. I immediately wanted to run back into the class and beat him to a pulp, but my first priority could be very injured and I felt sick and nauseous enough to vomit.

As a unit, Abby and I raced down the hallway toward the nurse's office. That could possibly be where they were, hopefully no ambulance had got her. But there wasn't enough time for them to call one so I was sure that possibility was ruled out.

"Miriam, are you in love with Mei-Mei?" Abby exclaimed in shock as we were running as fast as our feet could take us.

I was still mute from shock though and my only focus was on finding her. I didn't answer.

•••

Aaa, intense right? I hope this chapter didn't bother or trigger anyone too much. I had fun writing it! I'm excited to write what happens next!