Let me apologize, to begin with. Let me apologize for what I'm about to say. But trying to be genuine was harder than it seemed.

Ariella laid in the park grass, both ear buds in. It was 8:30, and she was starting to think Dylan wasn't going to show. She had had her doubts to begin with, of course. The kid was a coward. If Ariella hadn't held her emotions in, he probably would've cried and run off.

But she didn't want to think about it. Instead, she watched the blue above her until she couldn't keep her eyelids open.

***

"No, no no!" Dylan ran with his phone in his hand, checking the time. It was already 9:07 and he'd be lucky if Ariella was still there.

Or maybe lucky wasn't the right term.

It didn't matter,  this was something he needed. He reached the park and breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it practically on time.

Or again, maybe relief wasn't quite right.

He looked around the park, searching for Ariella's wavy, black hair. He spotted her sitting up in the grass, checking her phone. She was starting to stand up, so Dylan got worried she would leave.

"Ariella wait!" He shouted and ran to her. She turned at the sound of his voice with a bland look on her face. She pulled out a single earbud as he reached her.

"You're late."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter," she sat back down on the grass, "Now listen, this isn't quite an easy job. I can't just do it for you. If you want this, you're going to have to help. But you won't be able to do much if you're not willing to do some dirty things. So, if you want my help, kick me. Right here, right now."

Dylan took a step back, "Wait, what? Why would I kick you?"

"Because you want my help."

"But assault is against the law."

"It's not against the law if I told you to."

"That's not how the law works!"

"I don't care how the law works! If you want my help, you have to kick me!"

"I- I won't!"

"Then I might as well leave, you can handle this on your own." She began shifting to get up.

"No, no I need your help!"

"Then kick me for God's sake, you little wimp!"

He flinched and tapped her leg with his foot.

"That's not good enough, and you know it."

"I don't want to hurt you." She started laughing at that, obviously ignoring his concern. "What's so funny?" He asked with a frown.

"You," she started between coughing laughter, "actually- think you'd- hurt me!"

His face immediately flushed red, "I- I'm sorry?"

"Oh whatever, just kick me already."

Watching her facial features, he hesitated. He noticed she still had one of her earbuds in. Was she even fully invested in this? She probably doesn't even care about this! Did I expect her too? He thought.

But it didn't matter whether he expected her to or not. Either way, she obviously didn't, and somehow, that struck a nerve somewhere in Dylan. He drew back his foot and kicked her square on her side with all the strength he could muster.

I instantly regretted it. Right away, he sat down on the ground a few feet away from Ariella and put his head in his hands. Why did I do that?

"Jesus Christ, Dylan!" Ariella yelled. She let out of a string of vivid curses and unflattering phrases that weren't directed at anyone specifically. "I didn't think you would actually do it!"

Ariella held her side of a moment, he had hit her harder than she would've expected. Glancing up, she noticed an officer approaching them. She made eye contact and waved him off. He nodded and headed back to his assigned location. She sighed and looked at Dylan, who had missed the whole interaction due to his own self-pity.

"Ay, Scaredy Cat." He peeked up, "Do you play soccer or something?" He shook his head, "Oh well, whatever. You don't have to hide, it's not like I'm angry or anything."

He blinked a few times to rid his eyes of any stray tears before raising his head and sitting straight.

"Does this- Does this mean you'll help me now?"

"Dammit!" He drew back slightly, "I have to help you now!"

He quietly let out a nervous laugh. "So do you have a plan?"

"No, I'll have to think of something now. Just talk to me at lunch on Monday."

"Wait at school?"

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"I- um- well I just-"

"Honestly, just spit it out."

"I kinda have a reputation to hold?"

"Pfft, that's what you're worried about? Please, don't make me laugh again. Meet me at lunch or do it on your own."

She stood up, put in her second earbud, and walked off without another word.

"Bye, I guess," Dylan muttered and put his head back down.