Alice had been somewhat startled when Anthony had started talking to her. When that had then led to a date, she was pleased but surprised. Not everyone was happy about the surprising developments.
"I was told that you are going out with Anthony. Is it true?" Daisy, leader of the mean girls, had cornered Alice.
"Yes."
"We're all asking why he suddenly seems so interested in you?"
"You'll have to ask him that." Alice replied calmly.
"He's not here, so I'm asking you."
"I don't know, Daisy. We have been out a few times and we get along well."
"It all seems a bit odd to me. You're not exactly exciting, are you? Or maybe you are. Is that it, Alice. You're giving him what he wants." Daisy and her friends sniggered at the suggestion.
"I'm not even going to answer you. Believe what you want."
Alice was tensed, ready to make an escape. She let out a sigh and her shoulders sagged with relief as Anthony arrived.
"You alright Alice?" Anthony spoke to his girlfriend, but stared at Daisy and her gang.
"I'm fine."
"You go on, Alice. I need to have a word with Daisy."
Alice hesitated, but, after Anthony touched her hand, she walked away. Daisy's posse scuttled away, too. Daisy watched them flee tight lipped and with clenched fists. She would deal with them later.
"What was that all about?" Anthony loomed over Daisy.
"Nothing."
"If I catch you talking to Alice about nothing again, I will hurt you. Do you understand?"
Daisy cowered and nodded. A typical bully, she was not so brave when challenged. Anthony caught up with Alice, who hugged him and gazed up at her hero.
Alice had been brought up by strict parents who had instilled the lessons of studying hard and remaining chaste. They were considered old fashioned by a lot of people now, but Alice was happy to obey her parent's rules. She was not tempted to follow the crowd. Why would she want to emulate people like Daisy?
Anthony was so good to her. There were rumours about him being a bad boy. It was hard to believe that the same person who was kind and gentle, rushed to protect her, and never pushed her to do anything she didn't want to, had this reputation.
As his hand caught hold of hers, Alice could see a change in him. His cold blue eyes turned softer. His posture became less rigid. The tightness of his jaw was released as his expression turned to a smile.
The meeting with her parents had gone well. The look on their faces when they saw the confident, strapping boy, had warned of difficulty ahead. Within a few minutes they had beaming smiles and had warmed to Anthony. They need never know about the talk of fights and cruelty that had reached Alice's ears. She knew the real Anthony, so everything was fine.