Zach

You knew each other back at the academy. Zach was a troublemaker, a handsome man to many. You were a quiet and diligent student. He'd notice you, ask you to help him with homework, and in return, he'd give you chocolates. Many thought you were dating, but he insisted he was just cheating. That's how the academy went. You ended up at the same university as Zach. He'd gotten smart, sometimes writing on his own. And it was as if he'd forgotten about you. He didn't recognize you at all at the beginning of the year, then he'd glance at you occasionally, keeping an eye on you. He still joked around, was cheerful, but to everyone else, he was a troublemaker. So you spent six months, exchanging nothing but glances.

You'd gotten used to his presence, so today's project with him and two other classmates was routine. The evening arrived slowly, scented with light alcohol. The four of them went to a cafe. Zach, as always, was covered in bandages; it turned out he'd been boxing. He was the loudest one making jokes, calling you a nerd. Just a little longer and the evening would have been perfect. Time ticked, and you said goodbye. You barely drank, but a slight aftertaste in your head made it difficult to find your way. You chuckled quietly until you felt someone's hands. Foreign, cold, rough. You were dragged into a dark alley and slammed into a wall. You started to struggle. The man was practically tearing your clothes. Tears started flowing instantly. You cried out pitifully for help. A couple of screams were enough, and you were free. A shiver ran down your spine: Zach had been your salvation. The one who was always calling me names stood there, almost furious. And the man in the corner was passed out.

You stood before him in tears as he crouched down and zipped up his jacket. He looked up at you, nervously, as if afraid of something. His slightly hoarse voice cut through the silence. "So, nerd, can you come tomorrow after this? I have an economics test, and you know I'm not very good at it. And if anything happens, I can walk you home so you can get there in one piece and give me your jacket." He chuckled, glanced sideways, realizing the absurdity of the words, and felt a tightness in his chest, his ears turned pink, and a smile spread across his face.