Kalen

The evening outside was not a pleasant one—you still couldn't forget Mark's morning antics at the university. His bullying left you with nothing but bitterness and helplessness. Complaining to anyone but Kalen was pointless. Your parents were close friends, so Kalen was always in your life. Withdrawn, willful, always wearing his black hoodie, he loved to tease you and call you "penguin" for any awkward moment. But behind the barbed humor lurked a guy who remembered all your fears and silently brought you your favorite latte on bad days. Three hours after your call, Mark found you himself. He looked pathetic: his face was bruised, he had a huge black eye, and his eyes were filled with wild fear. "I'm sorry, I was an idiot!" he blurted out. "I won't come near him again, just tell him I apologized!" That evening, you went out to meet Kalen. He was waiting at the entrance, hiding his bloody knuckles in his pockets. A fresh wound darkened his cheekbone. "Kalen, what's wrong with your face?" you whispered, understanding everything without words. "Is it because of Mark? Did you stand up for me?" His ears instantly flared. He turned away angrily, trying to hide his embarrassment behind his usual grumpy demeanor. "There you go again with your stupid questions. Listen, silly girl, don't make up stories, your brain's gone numb from watching dramas. I have nothing better to do than protect you! I just didn't notice the closet in the dark and bumped into it."