Alejandra's Point Of View;

As I spoke to Priya I could tell she was hesitant to accept like Presley was, so I emphasized the safety issue. I sensed some concern as she asked questions but she was still indifferent about if she would want to be a part of it at the same time. I noticed Mitchum walk back up to us after conversing with Presley who remained behind. Then Mitchem tripped and bumped into Priya sending them both to the ground and causing her sunglasses to come off.

"¡Ay no! Are you two OK? Mitchum, you have to be careful," I exclaimed. It was so sudden that I didn't react fast enough to catch any of them.

"I keep warning him about those untied shoelaces. Are you ok Priya?" Presley said coming over and helping Mitchum up. I reached for Priya's hand but she shook her hand in refusal keeping her head down.

"Yes I'm fine, um I just need to find my sunglasses," she responded.

"I got it, don't worry let me help you up. Gosh, I'm so sorry," Mitchum apologized as he picked up her sunglasses that were nearer to him.

"It's ok, just hand me my sunglasses back," Priya said as she reached for the sunglasses from his hand but instead he used his free hand to help her up.

She seemed a little annoyed when he did that and then raised her eyes to look at him. But that wasn't what drew my attention the most to her face. You could see that through her hair that partially blocked her face a black eye was prevalent. I'm sure all of us saw it as she grabbed the sunglasses from Mitchum. She now sought to get back up from the ground as if hoping we wouldn't say anything. Well, that wasn't going to happen. She was such a quiet person, I doubt she would be out picking fights to get an injury like that.

"That's a really bruised eye you got there, what happened?" I asked moving a little closer to her as she put the sunglasses back on.

"Yes I uh- was putting up a huge painting this morning and it slipped as I was trying to steady it," she answered with a hint of nervousness in her tone.

"Did the painting bruise the entire side of your face as well?" Presley questioned further causing me to look closer to what she now tried to quickly cover with her thick hair. She did have bruises going down the side of her face.

"Oh dios mio," I gasped and put my hand over my mouth after uttering the phrase. This chica seemed like she was in some sort of street fight and lost. She became clearly uneasy by what Presley asked her as she fiddled with her hair.

"No that's just an allergic reaction, I- I have to go back inside now. Have a good day," she said as she retreated back inside and closed the door. Presley reacted quickly and stopped it from shutting with his foot and arm in the way. At this point, I wasn't sure what he was planning on doing. He's usually so nervous and quiet and I couldn't really help cause I've never been in a situation like this before.

"We can only help you, Priya, if you let us," He almost sounded like he was pleading with her.

"There is nothing to help with, I'm fine," Priya resisted as she was pushing against the door. I could tell Presley was struggling so the least I could do was help him. Mitchum couldn't because two guys pushing open a girl's door would definitely be sus.

"Do you really believe that?" I asked as I helped Presley prevent the door from closing. That question seemed to have gotten her attention since she stopped trying to forcefully close it and open it back.

"Listen I don't know what you think you know but you can't help me. You don't know what's going on and you don't know me," She spoke with what seemed like frustration in her voice. I didn't know what to say to that cause she was right. We didn't really know anything about her.

"Well that may be true, I don't but what I do know is that your full name is Sandra Priya Idenie-Taksheel. You added on that last part when you got married right out of high school and I doubt it was your choice. You were- um are excellent in Chemistry in the many competitions you won nationwide. You must have had some high aspirations that I know didn't include hiding in the shadows and taking orders from someone else the rest of your life," Presley said causing me to put my attention on him as he spoke. I wasn't the only one whose attention he caught.

"Ho- How do you know all of that?" she adjusted the sunglasses she was wearing as if Presley had just said something that made her a little more comfortable.

"Well um I won't lie, I researched you but only after we met at the Chemistry competition. You apologized to Nathan and returned the cane to Amelia. She was the blind girl, that I was helping. Uh, I never got a chance to say thanks for that," He said going back to his usually unsettled tone as he passed his hands through his hair avoiding eye contact with her.

"So that's where I know you from," I heard Mitchum say at the side of me. Sandra took off the sunglasses to get a good look at them both and I could see the tears building up in her eyes. She didn't let out any sobs but the tears ran down her face freely.

"You know you're kind enough to help others, Sandra, why not let us help you too," Presley continued.

"You can't, no one can; You still don't understand if he found out, then," she shook her head as if the thoughts plegded her.

"This is not about him or your family Sandra; this is about you and your future that I know you want," Presley tried to reason with her but I saw the expression on her face as she looked back at us. Her anger had returned with the same momentum it left.

"Why do you care anyway? You think you could be my hero or something; cause I gave up believing in heroes a long ago. What's in this for you?" She accused and I took a step back to where Mitchum stood but Presley held his hands up in defense.

"Whoa no, I'm not trying to be anyone's hero. It's just, um from what I've learned that in this life everyone deserves to be treated a certain way. Sometimes it doesn't work out that way because we had no choice in it. So what I'm doing is, offering you the opportunity to be your own hero or at least give you a choice," The girl's head sank low as I started to hear the sound of sniffling come from her at Presley's words.

That was actually a good way to respond to what Priya asked him. I looked over at Mitchum and he looked just as surprised as me. When Gail said that every time she's out with Presley it's a learning experience, she was right. I thought he was just a non-social introvert but the guy is actually really cool under pressure like she said.

I doubt I would be able to handle this in such a calm manner. It was like he realized that she was not really angry but just really sad. Maybe I should try to say or do something to comfort her too. I got closer to put my hand around her shoulder though I could not think of anything to say at the time. Maybe I don't have to say anything more and let her think about what has already been told to her.

"What if no one believes me?" she raised her head again and asked.

"We believe you, Sandra, and that's why we want to help you," I managed to answer.

"How can you?" She asked and as I thought about it Presley responded first.

"Well for one thing we can take you to the police station. I know the chief there will know exactly what you should do in this situation but the choice is up to you," He said to reassure her. If I had to guess, I would say that he came with the intention of doing that.

"Presley is right Sandra you don't deserve to be treated like this," Mitchum who for the most part had been quiet through all this said and I guess I better join in to help also. This after all was the main goal.

"And I'll be with you every step of the way if you choose to," I said with a slight smile as she leaned off of me to wipe her eyes.

"OK... I'll go, Let me get my purse," She said as she exhaled loudly and looked at me as if being assured that I would be there was the point where she felt comfortable. I've never dealt with this situation but if someone as meek as Presley mustered up the courage to help then so can I.