Different

Chapter Two

   I felt a wave of anger consume me. Ry had a cut on his lower lip and red splotches lined his jaw, making me think it was broken. A gash on his head was bleeding as was his nose.

    "Well?" I looked at the other three guys, trying to keep my cool. "What are you doing?"

They appraised me, considering how to handle me. One stepped forward, I think his name was Jackson or something. He was a big guy with blonde hair and meaty hands. "None of your business, sweetheart."

I looked back down at Ry who had a hand braced against the fence. His eyes were glued to the ground. Why didn't he get up and fight back? At least a little?

"Right. None of my business..." I crossed my arms. "Leave him alone. I'm only going to ask once."

All three guys turned to look at me now, hearing the threat in my voice. Even Ry had looked up in surprise and I saw barely contained fury in his eyes. So he was just as mad as I was.

The three jerks exchanged glances and the red haired one nodded. "I'd like to see you try and make us."

Jackson looked me up and down with a hungry grin on his face and I suddenly felt uncomfortable. "I like them feisty."

   Oh, gag.

I rolled my eyes and curled my hands into fists. Okay, it was three against one. I silently blessed my overprotective father for forcing me through years of self defense classes and then I slammed my fist into the redhead's throat.

I couldn't help but smile as his eyes bulged wide and he fell to the ground, choking.

"Shit," Jackson looked from me, to the redhead, then back to me again.

"Seriously, get out of here and take the cowards you call friends with you." I shook my hand out and had an epic staring contest with Jackson.

The third guy nudged him. "Hey man, let's just leave. He gets the message. I don't hit girls, man..."

Jackson finally dropped my gaze and nodded. He landed one final kick to Ry's stomach and I cringed. "What did I just say?"

   Moving quick, I placed my hands on Jackson's shoulders and heaved my knee up, connecting with his groin.

He yelped in pain and hit the ground, hands between his legs. "If I ever hear even the slightest rumor that you've touched one hair on his head, there will be hell to pay."

I allowed myself to look at Ry then and I found him watching me. God, he was a mess. I felt the urge to somehow help him somehow but I wasn't exactly a doctor.

I held my hand out to him. "Let's go?"

He opened his mouth to say something then winced when it pulled on his split lip. He grabbed my hand and I tugged him up, wrapping an arm gingerly around his waist when he inhaled sharply. His hand was pressed tightly against his side and my stomach dropped.

Cracked ribs weren't known to heal quick.

"We're not gonna forget this, you know."

I looked back.

It was the quiet boy who had claimed he didn't hit girls. I looked slightly behind him, focusing on the boys who were still on the ground, when something on the fence caught my eye. The metal pole was dented. Four deep imprints deformed it, right where Ry's hand had been.

Before my brain could process what that meant, I looked the quiet one in the eye. "Good."

   I turned my attention to the boy next to me. He was only leaning on me a little but it felt like I was supporting most of his weight. Each step seemed to be a challenge for him and my heart hurt.