it was a friday afternoon

before art club.

i was putting books in my locker

the hallway was mostly empty

after everyone had rushed outside for freedom from school.

i heard a loud crash

and almost dropped the books i was holding.

further down the passage came the sound of scuffling and voices

and the noise alarmed me.

quickly i marched down the tiled floor and turned the corner

to see Kohaku pinned against the lockers

by a tall kid with brown hair and blue eyes.

"no one wants to be friends with a scumbag like you,"

he was saying

and i felt myself growing angry at the scene before me.

questions arose in my head

who is this guy?

what does he think he's doing?

how often does this happen?

is Kohaku okay?

should i kill this douche?

i clenched my jaw

and approached the guy

who was unaware of my presence.

i sucked in air and-

"get away from him," i growled firmly

surprised at my own voice.

the bully turned to me and

laughed.

he laughed and let go of Kohaku's collar

causing him to slide to the floor.

he laughed

and that's when i punched him straight in the stomach.