Stay A Little Bit Longer

Riley walked down the stairs, wondering just who might be asking of him. Walking down the stairs, he saw someone sitted with their head down. He could not tell if the person sitted was a boy or a girl, since the person was on trousers, and the hair was short. Now thinking of it, he knew someone who dresses this way, but just what was she doing at his place.

"Natasha?"

He saw the person raise up their head, and he was not a bit surprised that the person ended up being who he had guessed them to be.

He saw a faint smile on her face, and he guessed she still could not bear parting ways with him. But there was no other option. He didn't want her to end up in trouble, which she definitely will, if she insisted on protecting him. Maybe he just had to make her hate him, just as he made Richard angry at him.

"Why are you here?"

He asked as he sat in front of her. Her smile became much more evident on her face, but this was only making him feel sad and angry at himself.

"Can you not leave yet?"

"Uh!"

'I should have expected that. The way she looks at me, it's obvious she still wants me around.' he thought to himself.

"Can you stay for a while, at least, till the case is settled?"

He really could not understand what was going on. The pleading look in her eyes felt strange to him.

"What case?" he asked, doing his possible best to remain calm.

"Those bastards, I finally got them arrested."

He leaned back into the chair, a bit surprised at her capability. Even though he felt glad that those maniacs were finally getting what they deserved, he was still worried about her safety. What if those bastards get away with their crime as usual, they will definitely come back for her, and might do even worse to her.

"Natasha, I think you should protect your...."

"No, this matter will be presented at court. With the evidence we have, and if you are willing to come testify, trust me, they won't get away with it this time around."

"Just what evidence do we have?"

Exactly, just what evidence. Was it the video of them harassing him? They blurred their own faces, so just how was that counted as evidence, if he could not prove that they were the ones in the video.

"I got them to confess, and I got a video of it. The police were also able to get their faces through the video they posted on the school group."

"How?" he asked in a solemn voice.

"I don't know, all I know is that they got it. And I got those bastards to confess without them knowing I was recording it all."

Riley's shoulders fell, he really was tired of acting tough. The tears came pouring out of his eyes as he cried out loud.

*****

Natasha got up from her seat and rushed over to Riley to comfort him.

"It's okay. Don't cry, you should be glad. Those bastards will finally get what they deserve." she said as she pulled him in for a hug.

Riley remained in her arms for a while. Truth be told, he felt useless, he felt like he was nothing but a pain to others, didn't see a reason why others should sacrifice themselves for him, infact, he didn't want anyone sacrificing themselves for him. Ever since he was young, he was used to being bullied and bullied alone. He looked pretty, which made males beat him up since girls seemed to like him more. And he was not exempted from being bullied by the females, all because they believed if he was to ever get near their boyfriends with that soft feminine look of his, their boys would stop loving them. And funny enough was the fact that they never waited for such a thing to happen, before beating him up. They had beaten him up for such stupid beliefs.

Those who tried befriending him, were forced to unfriend him, since they also got blacklisted alongside him. While those who proved stubborn, ended up in the hospital or in misery. Even changing schools didn't help.

"Riley."

The tears had stopped. But hearing her voice made him want to cry again, it was such a pity that his eyes were tired. He smiled, sadly and happily, a happy sad smile. Just when he had thought he would get bullied all through high school, and would remain alone and lonely, that smile that gave him chills the first time he saw her, ended up being the smile that gave him peace. That smile, and the owner of the smile, meant a lot to him now.

He rose his head up and looked at her face, eye to eye.

"I will stay and fight those bastards alongside you."

Natasha smiled, seeing his face with a burning hope, and a cheerfulness that had been lost for a while. She hugged him tighter, refusing to let go, afraid if she released him, that cheerfulness would be gone.

They both remained that way for a while, until.....

"Ahem."

The two of them let go of each other, looked at the old lady, then looked at each other, and they both let out a soft laugh, even the old lady smiled.

"The cake is ready."

"Oh!" was all he could say, as he was feeling embarrassed at the moment.

"Should I have it served at your usual place?"

"Yes, please."

The old lady left, leaving the two youngsters.

Riley shifted uncomfortably, embarrassed, wondering how much of a sissy Natasha would think he is.

"Uhm, would you like to..."

Natasha got up and was walking towards where she believed to be the dinning.

"Huh!" he was a bit surprised.

'she definitely didn't need my invitation.' he murmured to himself.

"You are going the wrong way Natasha." he said as he also got up.

Natasha paused and turned to face him.

"It will be served outside, by the garden."

Natasha smiled, walked towards him, then took a stop just some distance away from him.

"Lead the way then."