Jay and Erin were walking home from school one afternoon, laughing and talking about their day. They were both happy, lost in their own little world, oblivious to the group of boys approaching them from the opposite direction.
The boys were older, and they looked tough and mean. They were all wearing the same black t-shirts and jeans, and they had a swagger in their walk that made them look like they were in charge.
"Hey, girly-boy," one of the boys sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What are you doing with this loser?"
Erin stopped walking, his face turning pale. He looked at Jay, his eyes filled with fear.
"Leave him alone," Jay said, stepping in front of Erin. "He's not doing anything to you."
"Oh, really?" the boy sneered. "He's a little too pretty for my liking. He looks like a girl."
The other boys laughed, and Jay felt a surge of anger. He couldn't believe that they were being so mean to Erin. He knew that Erin was different, but he didn't see anything wrong with that.
"Just leave us alone," Jay said, his voice trembling with anger.
"Why should we?" the boy said, stepping closer. "We're just having a little fun."
He shoved Jay, sending him stumbling backward. Erin gasped, his eyes wide with fear.
"Don't you dare touch him," Jay said, his voice filled with rage.
The boy laughed, and he punched Jay in the stomach. Jay doubled over in pain, and Erin ran to his side, his eyes filled with tears.
"Jay, are you okay?" Erin asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm fine," Jay said, trying to catch his breath. "Just go, Erin. Get out of here."
Erin hesitated for a moment, but then he turned and ran, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't want to see Jay get hurt anymore.
- Scene: Street near school.
- Characters: Jay, Erin, Bully 1, Bully 2, Bully 3.
(Jay and Erin are walking home from school.)
Bully 1: Hey, girly-boy. What are you doing with this loser?
Erin: (Stops walking, looking scared)
Jay: Leave him alone. He's not doing anything to you.
Bully 1: Oh, really? He's a little too pretty for my liking. He looks like a girl.
(The other bullies laugh.)
Jay: Just leave us alone.
Bully 1: Why should we? We're just having a little fun.
(Bully 1 shoves Jay.)
Erin: (Gasps)
Jay: Don't you dare touch him!
(Bully 1 punches Jay in the stomach.)
Erin: Jay, are you okay?
Jay: I'm fine. Just go, Erin. Get out of here.
(Erin runs away.)