TOUGH LOVE

THE FIGHT

LUNCH TIME

Even though it had been a hectic morning I wanted to go to lunch to introduce everyone to Daniel. I saw Daniel waiting for me near the corner of the hallway. He looked really tense then we made eye contact and he began to smirk.

"Are you ok" Daniel ask while looking at me.

"I'm fine and you?" I asked with a smile.

"Couldn't be better" he responded.

The hallway was empty since I took long packing my things so it was just Daniel and I. Until I saw Daniel being thrown against the lockers. It was James that had attacked Daniel. Daniel was confused and a bit dazed since he was just hit against the lockers.

"What the fu—" said Daniel still dazed.

"what's your problem!" I yelled at James. He had Daniel pinned against the lockers still.

"This is just a warning, Fatty." James said as he looked at me with his eyes filled anger. He began to punch Daniel. Daniel is much more fit and taller than James but he was still dazed from being hit against the wall. I somehow managed to get James off of Daniel. James then accidentally hit me in my shoulder near my boob. He stopped, and stared at me in shock.

"Rider... I- I wasn't trying to hit you. I- I am so sorry Rider" James  said with a look of regret in his eyes.

"Leave us alone!" I yelled with tears in my eyes. I wasn't going to let this jerk see me cry even if his punch did hurt.
James left immediately and I took Daniel to the nurses office. The nurse didn't really question anything. I told her that Daniel had fallen off of the stairs. I know I should've told her about James but Daniel said that would cause more problems. Daniel had a minor concussion and some bruises in his face. He spent most of the day resting in the nurses office since his mom couldn't pick him up. I had to attend my classes but after school I would walk him home. I dreaded going to my AP History class but I couldn't skip. Mr. Gracia would call my aunt and I don't want to stress her. So I walked in and made my way to the back of the classroom. Lucky for me, James didn't show up. 'Why would he attack Daniel like that? Why does he hate Daniel so much' I thought to myself as the lecture began.

AFTER SCHOOL

LENARDO🤡
Got callbacks today. I'm so sorry but I'll make it up to you ;).

(me)
It's fine:) and knock em dead len💕

LENARDO🤡
Of course<3

I went directly to the nurses office.

"How are you?" I asked looking at Daniel laying in the nurses bed.

"Better" Daniel said with a smile forming on his face.

"Do you know how to drive?" Daniel asks me.

"uh... yeah. Why?" I asked Daniel confused. Tre taught me how to drive as soon as he got a car. So I wasn't lying.

"Can you drive me home?" asked Daniel

"oh I don't have a car yet" I said.

"Silly girl" Daniel said handing me some car keys.

"You have a car?" I asked confused.

"Yes."

"Then why did you walk me home yesterday?"

"Because you're my friend and I wanted to."

I smiled and helped walk Daniel out of school towards his car. His car was nice. And he was letting me drive it.

"I actually live near your house so just drive towards your house and I'll guide you" said Daniel sitting on the passenger seat.

"okay" I answered.

Most of the car ride was quiet except when he was directing me where to go. His house was a few blocks away from mine and it was nice. I helped him off of his car and into his house. His house was empty and I helped towards his living room.

"You want to stay and chill for a bit?" Daniel asked

"uh sure"

Daniel turned on his TV and he started to scroll through Netflix.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked Daniel who was staring at the TV

"Anything you want"

"Do you know why James hit you?" I asked.

"Maybe because I called him an asshole but he really did catch me off guard" he said looking tense.

"Thanks for getting him off by the way, you sure are strong" he said with a small chuckle.

"Yeah, it's no big deal. James is kind of weak." I said chuckling.

"Hey! I would've hit him back if the jerk didn't give me a concussion." Daniel said looking at me smiling.

I laughed. "I'm sorry, it's just James is so defensive. I mean hitting someone just because they called you a name? God he's so immature." I said.

"Some people are like that" Daniel said smiling at me.

"If I was like that. I would be in jail right now for beating so many people up." I said laughing.

Daniel didn't laugh.

"Ryder, you can't let that asshole control you"

"I know, I know-" I was saying but Daniel interrupted.

"I don't think you do know. At my old school I would let assholes like James control me and it made me miserable." Daniel said looking tense again

"Why would people bully you?" I asked.

"Because of who I am" Daniel said.

"Daniel, you are a great guy. I don't understand why people would have a problem with you" I said looking at Daniel.

"It's because I'm gay" Daniel said.

There was some silence.

"Theres absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's assholes like James that are wrong" I said confidently.

"Exactly. That's why you shouldn't let him treat you the way he does." Daniel said.

Then Daniel came close to me and hugged me. I was happy we had this talk. I knew Daniel was going to be a friend that I could trust after this. After that, we watched some Glee and I left to my house. Daniel wanted to walk me but he still looked weak so I insisted that he stayed home.

I got home and my aunt was cooking some dinner already.

"Hey honey" she says as I walk in.

"Hi aunt Jody"

"How was school, baby"

"Fine, I made a new friend"

"Oh that's great. Maybe you should bring them by sometime" she said with a smile.

"Of course"

I didn't tell my aunt about James because I knew she would just worry. I made Tre promise to never tell his parents anything about the bullying. He didn't want to at first but after a lot of crying and pleading he promised. I loved living with Tre and his parents but I didn't want to feel like a bother so I tried my best not to cause problems.