Nine years ago.

"It's been three months Cass, you can get a new boyfriend now." Lucy says as we sit down in our usual bench.

"I know I can, I just don't want to." I lean back, stretching an arm behind her, and lighting my cigarette with the other.

"What else you gonna do?"

"How about enjoying my friend's company?" I ask. Lucy sticks out her tongue, blowing a childish fart sound through it. I laugh out smoke.

"Just pick one." She pushes my shoulder then gestures across the schoolyard. I sigh, letting my eyes scan the boring old place. Nerds. Punks. Stylish that didn't declare they're gay yet. Jocks. Boring.

"Fucking boring, Lucy."

She sighs at me now, taking the cigarette from my fingers.

"But it's boring already. How much more boring can it get?"

"I think you're putting your hopes for entertainment in the wrong place."

"Maybe... I kinda like it when you're single. I have you all to myself." She smirks at me, baby blue eyes and flawless blonde hair almost glowing in the sun.

I smile back at her, reaching for the cigarette. She pulls it away from my hand, smirking at me wider as she returns it to her lips for another puff.

"What the fuck you think you're doing?" Yelling makes me snap my gaze aside.

Thomas is striding fast towards us, tall and wide in his football jacket. Two of his gorilla-like teammates and a group of bitchy seniors trail after Lucy's older brother. As usual.

"N-nothing." Lucy replies. Thomas frowns at her. His hand shoots forward, snatching the cigarette from her.

"Doesn't look like nothing to me." He glares at Lucy as he takes a puff. "What did I tell you about smoking?"

"I'm not a little girl, brother. I can do whatever I want." Lucy replies, and Thomas grabs her by the face. His fingers squeeze into her cheeks, making her whimper.

"Don't act out. It's embarrassing."

"Let go of her you fucking maniac!" I snap up to my feet, pulling his arm from her face.

He looks at me with a mixture of amusement and shock. "Really, Cassie?"

His attention shifts from Lucy to me entirely, stepping closer. "You want a piece of me too?"

I try to shove him away, but my weight fails budge the quarterback much. He grips tight around my wrist.

"I think it's you teaching my sister to act out."

"Are you listening to yourself? Let go of me you psycho." I try and fail to yank my hand out of his grip. I look around desperately. People are gathering around us by the dozens now. Nobody seems in any inclination to help.

"Who are you looking for? I run this place, bitch."

Out the corner of my eye, I see a movement in the crowd. Rushing towards us.

Then a fist slams into the side of Thomas' jaw. I see his head toss sideways, spit and blood slinging from his gaping lips. His knees buckle, and he falls silent to the floor.

I blink at John in surprise.

"Move along. Show is over." He says.

Thomas' teammates stare at him, and the school crowd stays motionless at the chance of more violence. Then they pick Thomas up, and carry him away as he groans in confusion.

Suddenly Lucy's crying rings in my ears. I turn to her, and she falls on me with a hug. Her tears wetting my neck as she whispers.

"Thank you."