12.30. Lunchtime.

And like every lunchtime, Seth walked towards the farthest corner of the playing field to eat his lunch. But something was different. There was already someone occupying his spot.

"What's wrong?" Seth said, approaching the crying girl slowly.

"Nothing" she sobbed. "Leave me alone geek."

"Fine. Sorry I asked."

As Seth started walking away, she called out to him. "Wait".

He turned around to face her. "I didn't mean to be a bitch. It's just….. If Luke saw you talking to me, he'd kick your ass."

"It's ok." He replied. "He'll be doing that later anyway."

The girl giggled. Seth moved closer and sat down next to her.

"So, you wanna tell me why you're crying?"

The girl turned her face away as she answered. "I hate my life."

Seth was shocked by her reply. "But why? What could possibly be so awful? I mean, we're only eleven."

"You wouldn't understand." She said at a whisper.

"Try me." He said, nudging her softly.

The girl remained silent. Seth realised it would take some convincing to get her to open up.

"Look, you think I wouldn't understand but I might. I have no friends both in and out of school, my parents want to send me away to boarding school and I get beaten up almost everyday. I'm not loving my life to much at the moment either."

The girl moved her hand up to her face and wiped away the tears. She turned towards Seth and looked directly into his eyes.

"It's just.. I can't do anything I want. My life is controlled by everyone but me. And it sucks."

"I bet it does. But listen, at least you're not on your own. You've got Summer, and Luke."

"I guess."

"And listen, at the risk of sounding like the girl I'm called, if you ever want to talk to someone else, I'll be here. Totally bruised and battered, but anyways."

For the first time, the girl smiled genuinely at Seth. "Thanks."

"No problem. But don't tell anyone, ok? I don't want my reputation spoiled."

"I'll try to remember that." She said through a small laugh. She slowly stood up and started to walk away. She looked back over her shoulder at the boy who was there for her. "Bye Seth."

"Bye Marissa"