Standing up in a tough situation

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"Corey! Pay attention in class or I'll have you stand outside!" Mrs Tan reprimanded, while banging the whiteboard violently. I snapped out of my thoughts immediately. Over the past few weeks, I had been witnessing my best friend Nick being bullied. He was always threatened to hand over all his money or else he would get beaten up. The gang's boss was Jack Ng alias Ah Qiang. He was currently the school's most notorious bully along with his henchmen twins, Jacob and Jean Riley. The trio scared the daylight out of almost everyone just by glaring at them. They were infamous for their merciless actions.
That day in school during recess, I witnessed them bullying Nick into handing over his money again at the back of the school. I felt a sudden urge to stand up for him, but, my body refused to register this command. My legs disobeyed my will and did not budge. I was fearful. Terrified of the posibility that not only would I not be able to save Nick but also get beaten up. I could only stand aside helplessly as the "ritual" continued.
As I sat in my study room that evening, I pondered on the real reason why I did not save Nick. I realised that it was really because I, myself had been a bully in the past. Even though I turned over a new leaf two years ago, I had already tarnished my reputation. The things I had done kept coming back to haunt me. "The school would not believe me. But I have to overcome my fear!" I thought to myself, determined to stop the bullying once and for all.
The next day, I followed Nick around to protect him. The gang showed up nonetheless. I swore and cursed under my breath. "Hey, Ah Xiong what are you doing hanging around this wimp?" Jack asked menacingly, while referring to my past nickname.
"That's none of your business Jack," I struggled to say it as coolly as I could. Jack shook his fists fuming with rage."How dare you! Get'em Riley twins!" They charged at us with such speed and force that could wake a hibernating earthquake or a dormant volcano. I barely blocked Jacob's incoming fist. Pain surged through my bruised forearm. I hardly had time to recover before I found myself dealing with Jean's stout but muscular leg the next second. Nick tried to intervene but failed miserably. I dodged and parried, trying to absorb the most of every blow. That was when I suddenly had an idea. I seized Nick's trembling hand and sprinted towards the general office like there was no tomorrow. The Riley twins were hot on our tracks. Luckily, we spotted Mr Neo, the discipline master, outside the general office. We tried to relate the story to him between breathes. When the Riley twins spotted Mr Neo, they stopped dead in their tracks.
"Stop right there Jacob and Jean Riley! It seems like I have to teach you a lesson. Now, where is Jack Ng? I would like to have a nice long chat with him,"Mr Neo spoke firmly but not without a deadly tone. "He...he is at the...back of the school,"they answered simultaneously, hanging their heads low. Mr Neo sent both of them to "fetch" Jack to the office. The gang was given a harsh scolding and a week long suspension from school. I half expected Jack to bite my head off when he emerged, but, surprisingly he did not. Moreover, he was grateful towards me for helping him turn over a new leaf.

Hello everyone, please feel free to share about a time when you had to stand up in a tough situation. I appreciate your comments and I will try to reply all of them. Thank you.

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