My Shield

After leaving Daræy to reflect on his thoughts, I decided to look for Biancas and the others. But before I could even step out of the back of the stadium, I saw a group of boys heading my way.

I froze.

I couldn't move. My brain screamed at me to do something—anything—but my body had already gone into shutdown mode.

There's this universal thing that happens to all girls when we see a group of boys approaching. We either start fixing ourselves for no reason—straightening our clothes, fixing our hair, pretending like we're adjusting something important—or we try to casually disappear, as if blending into the background will make us invisible. And then there are the confident ones, the ones who keep their heads high, unbothered, radiating self-assurance like they own the world.

I admire those ones. Sincerely, it's a positive way to think.

But for girls like me—girls who have lived through a traumatic experience—there is only one rule:

RUN.

There is no such thing as bravery in these moments. Being brave only invites trouble. The smart thing to do is either run or pray to God that they don't notice you.

But me? I am never invisible in these situations.

So, I did the obvious.

I tried to run.

And I failed.

Before I could turn away completely, one of the boys called out. "Pretty girl, don't run. Where are you going? Come on, let's have a little chat."

I barely had time to process his words before he reached out, attempting to grab my wrist.

I yanked my arm away, greeted them shyly—out of habit, not willingness—and started walking in the opposite direction, quick but not too quick, because running outright would only make it worse.

They started mumbling amongst themselves, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I wasn't even trying to listen.

I was too busy distracting myself, blocking out their voices before my insecurities came crawling out.

Then—

I bumped into someone.

"Sorry," I mumbled, barely above a whisper, trying to avoid more unnecessary attention.

The person didn't respond. They just started walking.

But I knew who it was.

Daræy.

Without hesitation, I fell into step behind him, walking quietly in his shadow. He didn't hold my hand, didn't turn to acknowledge me, didn't do anything—but still, the moment I was by his side, the group behind me went silent.

It wasn't just me who felt his aura.

Nice.

We walked all the way to the stadium, and the second we got there, I told my friends I was heading back home. Then, without thinking much about it, I ran after Daræy again.

Something about the way people shut up when I was with him?

I loved it.

So, naturally, I decided to go home with him.

As we walked, I could not stop ranting about the guy who had grabbed my hand earlier. My once-quiet mouth had turned into a full-on megaphone, blabbering more nonsense than ever before.

"I mean, seriously, what is wrong with some people? Like, do I look like I want to talk to you? Do I look like I'm standing around waiting for some random dude to grab my hand and act like I owe him a conversation?"

Daræy said nothing.

"…I mean, like, what's with the whole 'pretty girl don't run' thing? Who even says that? Who told you I was running because of you? Maybe I was running because I had somewhere to be! Maybe I was running because I enjoy exercise! Ever think of that?!"

Still, Daræy remained quiet.

It suddenly dawned on me.

"Wait a minute…" I squinted at him, stepping to his side and looking up. "…Are you even listening to me?"

He gave me a sidelong glance.

Was he wearing ear pods?

I leaned in slightly to check.

Yep.

This man had been ignoring me the whole time.

I gasped dramatically. "Unbelievable! You just let me stand here embarrassing myself—"

Still, no response.

I sighed, kicking a small rock on the ground as we walked. "Rude."

When we finally reached my house, I turned to him and said, "Thanks for being my shield back there."

Instead of saying, You're welcome, like a normal person, he asked, "This brave girl I see every time I'm with you… Is it just for me, or are you not brave at all and just putting up a show whenever you see me?"

I blinked.

…Brave?

I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't know when I've ever been brave in front of you. If you say bold, yeah, I can accept that. I am bold. But brave?" I exhaled. "That's something I'm still learning how to be."

He just stared at me.

I shrugged. "But to answer your question—it's not like that. I'm just… scared of groups."

He scoffed lightly and turned away. "Good night, then."

I watched him walk away, then cupped my hands around my mouth and called out, "Goodnight! Don't forget about practice tomorrow! 4 PM at CHS Auditorium! Don't be late!"

He didn't stop walking.

Didn't turn around.

Didn't even acknowledge that he heard me.

Typical.

I sighed and turned towards my house.

The moment I hit my bed, I knocked out.

I had no idea when my roommate came back.

No idea when the gate was locked.

I didn't even remember closing my eyes.

I was that tired.

But honestly? I needed the rest.

I had another full day of Daræy ahead of me.

And I definitely needed my energy for that.