One Shot from:puppy love?

"So are you gonna be able to sleep over this weekend?" Dylan asked as he and Cody walk to lunch. The two fourth graders had been friends since they started pre-school together. They often sleep over at each other houses.

"I'll have to ask mom, but I don't see where she can say no." Cody turn the corner with Dylan hot on his heels. They were both running behind for their lunch.

Both boys stoped dead in their tracks at the sight before them. Three large fifth grade boys were pushing around a much younger girl. Her long blonde hair that had been pulled back into a ponytail was falling lose. Her face was red, and she looked like she had been crying.

"What'ca gonna do cry, crybaby." Mac Davidson pushed the little girl again.

Dylan and Cody didn't even think about the situation they both ran to the smaller child's defense. They put themselves between Mac and the girl who silently cried behind them.

"Why don't you go pick on someone your on size." Cody voice become hard with anger. As he challenged Mac.

Mac just laughed and tried to push him out of the way. Dylan stepped up to help his friend. "Bulling is against the rules Mac." He pointed to a poster on the wall just over Mac's head.

"Who cares about some dumb poster." Mac laughed again. He reached out to put his hands on the girl again. Cody shoved his hand away.

"Well, Mr Davidson, I think you might care, considering that it was your class that made and hung up the posters." Mr Andrew's the third grade teacher call out. The teacher walked up to the group of kids. He stoped the two other boys before they could slip away.

"What seems to be the trouble here?" He asked with a hand on each of the runners shoulders.

Cody was the first to speak. "We saw Mac and his friends pushing her around. He was calling her a crybaby." Cody's eyes never left Mac.

"Is this true Lillian?" Mr Andrews inquired. She looked at Cody, who gave her a incredible bright smile. That smile gave her the bravery she needed to speak up.

"Yes they did."  She told the teacher. She inch closer to Cody when Mac gave her a nasty look.

"Well let us all go to the principle's office so he can deal with this." The teacher turn all the children to the direction of principle's office.

For the next hour, Mac and the other's parents were called to school. After they were informed of what took place. Mac and the other two boys were sent home. Cody and Dylan were congratulated for doing the right thing. Lillian parents thank the boys along with the principal.

"Cody, you, Dylan and Lillian go to the lunchroom to eat before it's to late. I expect you both to be back in class before the last bell." Mr Andrews told the three after the meeting was over.

The two boys help Lillian get her tray, and sat with her as they ate. That was the first time Lillian saw Cody. He suddenly reminded her of the Knights that her mother read about in her bed time stories.

From that moment on Lillian never forget Cody's actions. He never failed to greet her in the halls. The next two years Lillian fell deeper in puppy love with Cody. Even during the summer breaks she still liked him.

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Cody sat at the freshman registration table in the high school commons area. He sat with Mrs Wade the freshman math teacher. Because he was a junior and a petty offer 1st class in the NJROTC. He was often called upon to help with the school events.

His job today was to help pass out the school handbooks. This was only done for the freshman class. They were new to the way high school worked.

"Name please?" Mrs Wade asked the next person who stepped up to the table. Cody had his backed turned to open another box of handbooks. He set a small stack next to Mrs Wade.

"Lillian Brent" the young sweet voice had Cody looking for its owner. He came face to face with a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Cody thought he knew her, but he didn't remember where.

She had a shy smile, and long blonde hair. Cody could see that she had definitely worked on her tan over the summer. She was way to beautiful to be just a freshman.

"Ok, here is schedule and Cody has your hand book. You need to read the book, and sign the last page and turn it in to you home room teacher. Have a good year." Mrs Wade smiled at Lillian.

Cody handed over the handbook, he was just about to introduce himself. "It's nice to see you again Cody." Lillian said as she took the book from his hands. She smiled over her shoulder as she walked away.

Before he could follow her, and get her number his chief/teacher called him. "Daniels! You need to report to the drill room. I need you to help greet the new students." Chief did not waste time on Cody's answer. He spun in drill fashion and marched back up the hall way.

When Cody looked around for Lillian she had disappeared in the crowd. As he walked to the drill room he wondered if he would have a chance with a girl as beautiful as Lillian Brent. She was the girl of his dreams.

As Cody stood in the drill room he racked his brain to figure out where he had seen Lillian before. He had to find out how to get her number. It was killing him that he could not remember where he knew he from.

"Chief Hall?" Cody eyes snaped to Mac Davidson as he entered the room. "Mr Max sent me to give you this."  He handed over the paperwork and left with barely looking at Cody.

It was just like cartoon, Cody could almost see the light bulb over his head. Cody remembered that day in fourth grade. Mac pushing Lillian around. Her tears, Mac being sent home.

At that moment Cody made a silent vow. He would what ever it took to get Lillian to like him. And he would definitely do anything to keep her from getting bullied again.