PROTECTED

The same boy glared at her and came forward. Amy maintained her cool demeanor and closed her eyes.

"SMACK"

There was the sound of something cracking but Amy couldn't feel any pain. She slowly opened her eyes and Archie was standing with his back in front of her face. She peeked sideways and saw that the boy was lying on the ground with blood running down from his nose. He was writhing in pain.

Archie was going to advance forward to maybe hit him again but Amy caught his right arm and clung to it saying,"Don't. He's already hurt. Don't hurt them." Archie looked at her sympathetically and then turned his cold gaze towards the boys saying,"I don't want to see anyone of you here again." They had fear in their eyes and they ran away from Archie as fast as they could.

Archie took Amy by her hand and went back on his way towards the flat. His grip was rather too tight. When they reached, Archie made Amy sit on the couch and she obliged. Amy winced at the tight grip of Archie. He released her wrist with a worried look on his face. He said,"I'm so sorry Amy. I didn't mean to hurt you. Really sorry. It doesn't hurt, does it?" Amy shook her head and said,"You didn't hurt me Archie and for the fact , you just saved me. I should say you are my Knight in a shining armour." She giggled at the thought and Archie couldn't help but smile. She continued,"Though you need not hurt anyone." Archie replied instantly,"But what if he hurt you?"

Amy smiled at him and said,"Well that didn't happen now, did it? Also I don't want anyone of you to hurt anyone because of me." Archie replied,"But-". He was cut mid sentence by Amy,"No buts. I'm not used to Archie,'people standing up for me'. Its not that I don't appreciate. I do... so much but just let me handle these situations. Thank you for your help but next time don't hurt anyone. Yeah?" Archie looked at Amy's sincere look in her eyes and smiled,"Alright. As you wish ma'am." Amy giggled. Archie continued,"Okay then. I'm gonna do the shopping. Be right back." Amy waved at him and went in the kitchen to get the other things ready.

She thought of the event over her head and then shrugged off some insolent thought. She just couldn't grasp it and she didn't want to.

Her and Archie were setting the dining table in silence when the others appeared. Dray said,"I smelled breakfast!!" Amy chuckled and said,"Yeah! I prepared some for you all." Ed sighed in a way that could be translated as relief. He and the others sat down on the chair and started digging in. Amy watched the sight in awe  and chuckled. Steph said,"Mmhm.. thank you Amy." Amy smiled and said,"and to Archie" Everybody looked at her in shock but then smiled mischievously. Amy rose an eyebrow in confusion while Archie tried ignoring the stares which were sent his way. He silently continued eating his breakfast. Em broke the silence and said,"Lucky us." Everybody hummed in response and then broke into soft laughters.