"Why are you crying, Chazz…? What's the matter?" Bastion's cool voice echoed through the almost empty hallway. I stood up quickly, ready to run.

"Back off! I'm not crying! You need to get your eyes ch-checked…" I would have been fine. I could have pulled off my bluff, but my body betrayed me and I sobbed at the last minute. My only chance was to hide my face. Bastion grabbed my wrist. "What are you-"

"Don't hide from me, Chazz. I know better…" he pulled my arm and wrapped his other around my waist. "Oh dear…" I was doomed. He'd seen my face; the tears, and the bruise. "Who did this?" Bastion's voice wasn't so cool anymore. He seemed angry… protective. I liked it.

"Nobody did anything!" I pulled away and turned to march down the hall, trying to take some of my dignity with me, but… as usual, my little "friends" show up at the worst of times.

"Gosh, Boss! It's so cute! You're blushing!" Yellow's voice seemed more annoying than usual. I shooed him off only to get Green slurring in my ear.

"Yeah! Ish't almost like you likes dat guy! I didn't tink he wash your type!"

"BUZZ OFF!" I waved both arms in every direction I could think of, but when I opened my eyes, I was not as alone as I had hoped to be.

"… he's right. You are blushing." Bastion beamed at me, and this time I felt the blush take over my face. "It's cute," he smiled, taking a step toward me. I took one back. "That still doesn't answer my question, Chazz. Who hit you?" he asked again. His voice was protective again, so I took another step back, feeling more conflicted than ever.

I wanted to run and hide. I wanted to scream. I wanted to curl up in his arms and tell him everything… The hallways were empty. We were completely alone. The only problem I saw with confiding in him was my own pride got in the way. I couldn't let anyone see me broken like this. I am Chazz Princeton! I shouldn't have been caught like that… but the fact remained, I was. Looking down at my boots, I tried to come up with an excuse but something about Bastion made me forget what I was supposed to say… I heard myself speak the truth. "Slade… and Jagger… they did it again."