"Hey, honey."

Two brown eyes glanced up. Her pupils enlarged, maybe she could hear the screaming thoughts? Without even a whisper, Margo kept her response simple with a gentle nod. She despised lying. Of course, she lied. How could she reveal what her mind constantly slapped her with, whilst avoiding tears? Yet, Lucy's caring gaze seemed enough for the eldest to feel like she was safe in a pair of comforting arms.

The redhead knelt before the shorter girl. She couldn't let this problem slide. But, without pressuring the truth, Lucy admitted, "I know something's up."

Margo shook her head. Simple. No revealing. She wrapped her palms across her form, blocking any comfort that could pierce into her weaker bubble. "It's been a long week."

Not another word escaped from her mouth once she resumed back to her novel. Reality had to escape from her mind; replaced by the incredible worlds of fiction that seemed fairer. However, the words jumped away from her focus. Margo struggled to switch minds. Every word, tease, offense...

But there wasn't a bone inside Lucy's body that wanted to give-in. She couldn't let the girl escape. Tapping her shoulder to retrieve her attention, Lucy frowned, "But it's only Tuesday."

"Uh..." Margo debated whether to admit it. Her mouth half-open, desperate for words to release. Yet, the courage always died. Gulping, she stole reassurance from Lucy's caring gaze and dipped her head. "The girls in my class are bullying me."

"Wait, what?!" Usual quirky responses shoved aside, Lucy's eyes rounded into the shape of saucers. Her lips remained parted - baffled. As for her hands, they blocked the upsetting gasp from the realization that Margo suffered whilst she remained oblivious to the harm being done. "Margo, how long has this been going on for?"

The girl shrugged, "Three or four months, I think." Her words left the redhead dumbfounded, so Margo avoided eye contact. "I didn't want to tell Gru, he would've gone insane."

"So, nobody knows, except for me?" Lucy forced. Even the words sounded alien. How couldn't she spot the signs? It's partially impossible for Gru to see through lies like polished glass - four months you could've been more useful.

The simple nod tore through her heart, like paper being simply ripped apart. Her trembling fingers pulled her glasses away, allowing her to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Everyday they find something new to make fun about. Yesterday it was my glasses, saying how they make me look like a freak."

She scowled at her accessory. Never did she ask to wear glasses for the rest of her life. Sniffling, Margo shoved her glasses onto her face to prevent more humiliating tears. "Or they rip pages from my school book and blame it on me, which gets me into trouble every time."

"Margo..." Lucy finally slipped out, a crack inside her throat. What ticked the bomb happened to be a constant avalanche of tears. Her arms stretched out to draw the girl in. Lucy shook her head, "You shouldn't have to hide this, sweetie."

Sniffles grew louder. Margo finally gave in. Her jaw clenched from forcing tears back, since she wouldn't appear vulnerable to those girls. Like Lucy, she desired to hold a strong heart. To take everything as a complement. Yet...she couldn't. Tears burst like a water dam; static filled her mind. The only reassuring touch was the caresses across her hair from the woman before her.

"I don't know what to do, Lucy. I'm scared they'll do something worse," Margo admitted. Her arms tightened around the woman's figure, like a boat secure with its anchor.

Meanwhile, Lucy couldn't find the strength to release Margo from her hold. She couldn't understand the wrenching grip that strangled her heart. Or the ball that wedged inside her throat, denying her words and urging tears. Why? Why did this feeling appear now? Lucy pictured herself like a stable statue, only showing one emotion that brightened the lives of others. Exhilaration between words. Positive aspects for everything, including school. So what was this emotion that was altering her views?

Those bullies. The mean machines that spat snarky remarks and threats towards Margo - her lover's daughter. Fists clenched. How could this continue?! This girl sheltered inside her soul. Nothing, nobody, should dare to damage a part of it. She finally realised the emotions received whilst becoming a mother.

She knew something had to be done. One way or another.

The next day washed concern over Gru.

The truth finally spelled itself out towards him. He realized the peculiar change. The bullying, yes. Lucy struggled to block his violence from the parents of those nasty children, especially after the heartbreaking truth. Who would dare hurt his daughter? Nothing proved that Margo deserved this terror - a kind girl who wished to stay confident towards school had been frightened to cooperate with her favorite activities. He finally knew the reason why she couldn't even lay her eyes on a book.

However, the change his girlfriend glided through seemed equally shocking. Once the news delivered through a raging conversation between one parent and him, Gru found himself speechless. His actions silenced; no words other than useless stammers. Of course, he didn't protest at Lucy being the first to know because she also mirrored the role of a responsible adult. Maybe one day a Mom. Yet he couldn't understand the outcome that occurred when the headteacher called him after the incident.

Or the actions that were despised and unnatural into his ear from the headteacher.

Now, stuck between words, Gru stood before Lucy with a tilted head. One gesture to the phone, as she understood why this conversation was occurring.

"I didn't threaten the kid!" Lucy's hands shot upwards as if the one phone call mirrored an interrogation. Regret urged to overcome, but for what? Teaching a lesson regarding bullying his sweet and innocent daughter? "I just...had a friendly conversation with her mother."

Lucy's heart fluttered once Gru smirked. At least he wasn't furious. The tone of his voice seemed questioning like he couldn't believe these exact words came from her mouth. "Apparently you told the mother to watch her back otherwise you would push a bomb down her throat."

"Okay, that's an exaggeration," Lucy interrupted, pointing her finger and stifling a laugh. "I didn't say push, I said shove."

Behind her, Margo covered her mouth to hide her sneaky smirk. Shame wasn't imminent. Relief. Peering to the side, Lucy sent a cheeky wink towards the girl who appeared as a beacon of joy. If only she carried as much courage. Perhaps bonding with her truly enlightened her life. Sure, maybe Lucy had some time to prove her capability, but Margo's heart rose higher as a little chorus sung inside her.

Thank you, Mom.

Lucy gulped back a lump in her throat. Those eyes held different meanings - the glimmer of light shining especially towards her. She admitted that her protest revealed how violent she could become. Nobody messed with those three girls.

Without another word - an interpretation that he refused to scold Lucy - Gru shook his head with a reassuring smile. A gentle caress on her cheek meant a thousand words. Thank you? I love you? Protesting at the thought of both seemed sinful. Yet, leaning into his palm, Lucy felt a little door open up towards a new beginning.

Watching her father check on Edith and Agnes, whose bickering echoed in the corridor, Margo rushed to the redhead's legs and squeezed them tight. "Thanks, Lucy. Those girls wouldn't even stand ten feet near me today."

A blade pierced the corners of her eyes. Wait. No, those were tears. Genuine tears. Tears that rarely appeared. Shaking her head at her foolishness, Lucy knelt down and welcomed Margo into a comforting hug. No words shared. Other than the soothing sounds of relieved cries, they both allowed their thoughts to overwhelm their ears.

For once, Lucy took in the beam of sunshine. For once, she finally understood pride from being a mother.