Tanya shoved me against the wall. I fell, spilling the contents of my backpack in the process. With her two mindless minions, Tina and Taylor, flanking her there was no hope of escape.

Tanya flipped her multiple black braids. It wasn't really necessary, seeing as she was using a black bandanna as a headband. I guess she was going for some sort of intimidation factor, but the glare she was sending my way with her cold brown eyes took care of that.

At this point I was sure my situation couldn't get any worse. I thought far too soon.

Storm, the new girl, was stalking towards us. I knew it was her. Waist length white hair streaked with red; cold, calculating emerald eyes; and her signature leather jacket rolled up to the elbows. Everyone said she was even meaner than Tanya. Really cold-hearted. I was positive things were about to get much worse.

I was surprised when she positioned herself between me and my tormentors. Storm reached arm behind her back to help me up and glanced quickly in my direction. "You okay?"

Her voice was so cold and uncaring for a minute I wasn't sure she was actually asking. Another quick, vaguely annoyed glance in my direction told me that she was, and I quickly stuttered out a response. "I-I'm fine."

I took her hand and she hoisted me up. I started picking up my stuff, and she turned her attention to Tanya, who seemed to be an odd combination of nervous, probably from Storms reputation, and put out from being ignored for so long. "I don't want to see you bugging her again. Got it?" It wasn't a question.

Tanya quickly straightened up and crossed her denim clad arms over her chest. "You think you can tell me what to do?"

Storm glared, and I could swear Tanya actually flinched. Tina and Taylor were clearly nervous. They already started backing off. "I don't think. I know."

She literally pushed through the middle of the crowd. After a second's hesitation, I darted after her.

When we rounded the corner Storm turned around abruptly. I walked into her and started to fall again, but she caught me before I could. "What's your name?"

"Evangaline."  I didn't waste any time in answering this time. The initial shock had started to wear off. Impulsively, I asked a question of my own. "Why did you help me?"

Storm ignored it completely, and I was fairly certain I wasn't getting an answer. "Why'd they decide to bother you, anyway?"

I decided to answer her question despite her ignoring mine. She had just saved me, and it was kind of nice, someone other than my brother caring. "My older brother is gay." I hesitated for a minute to see if she would react negatively, but her face remained impassive. "Tanya and her boyfriend were talking about him. They called him a stupid fag, and they said he only pretended to be gay to get attention. I stood up for him and told them they didn't know what they were talking about. Tanya and her friends haven't left me alone since."

Storm frowned slightly, and I wasn't sure, but I thought she looked kind of... angry. "Let me know if they bother you again."

"O-okay." She started walking off, I guess towards her next class. I just stood in the hallway for a minute, stunned, before heading to my own class.

I'm not sure, but I think I just made a friend.