22 Facing the Bully

Shortly after breakfast, Stefan and I go to the mall. We plan to go to the movies, but we run into Miranda on our way to the movie theater. She’s waiting for Barney who is running late. We decide to keep her company while he arrives. I’m glad to see her, not just because we haven’t spent much time together lately, but because I want her and Stefan to be friends as well. They haven’t had the chance to get to know each other and as my mom and cousin already hate him, it’s really important for me that my best friend is team Stefan. 

We go to the food court and sit at a table while we eat fries and talk. They seem to get along very well, although I know Miranda is analyzing his every move. That’s what she does, she’s really good at spotting jerks. I feel a little anxious, I know the moment we are left alone she’s going to share with me her observations and I’m not ready for a negative review of my boyfriend. 

The moment comes, Stefan goes to the restroom, giving Miranda the perfect chance to talk. As I watch him walk away, I feel cold sweat going down my neck. 

“He’s perfect!” Miranda exclaims the second Stefan is far enough not to hear us. 

“Really?” I ask relieved. 

“Yes! I mean, he’s a tad possessive, but not in a creepy way... and he’s crazy about you! I think he’s the one, Oli,” Miranda says with a big smile. 

“Ok, calm down, let’s not get ahead of ourselves... eat your fries,” I say nervously. 

“I’m serious! He’s dreamy, Olivia.” 

“Look at that! Human scum just hanging out freely.” 

I get a lump in my throat as I hear Martin’s voice next to us. Is this never going to end?

“Leave us alone,” Miranda says as she jumps to her feet bravely. 

I wish I could do the same, but my body feels heavy as lead. I recoil in my seat, like a coward. 

“This is none of your business,” Martin warns Miranda. 

“Why not? You’re defending your little brother, I can do the same for my friend,” Miranda says boldly. 

“Your friend is a criminal.”

“No, she’s not, her dad made a mistake. That’s it! Get over it!” Miranda is raising her voice, I’m glad she’s defending me, but I also fear people are going to stare if we draw attention to ourselves. 

“Get over it? Have you lost your mind?” Martin asks infuriated. 

“Come on! It’s not the first time a man punches another one in the face. It’s been weeks! Just move on! Stop being such a crying baby.” 

I’m so happy Miranda is here, I could never be as brave as her and confront Martin. 

“How about Erick? Does he have to move on too after her grandmother was murdered?”

“How is that my problem?” I ask finding my voice. I get up, not as confident as Miranda, but driven by anger. My dad assaulted Sam, for that I’m sorry and I’ve been paying the consequences, but I’m not carrying the blame for something neither me nor my family has done. This has gone too far. 

“Don’t pretend you’re innocent. It’s so obvious your deranged father burnt down Erick’s house just because he kicked you out of his party. This is his mobster way of letting him know not to disrespect your criminal family,” Martin talks about his surreal theory with so much conviction it’s scary. 

“You know how ridiculous that sounds? Besides, my dad has no idea that even happened,” I reply irritated. 

“So why did the police told Erick’s family to forget about the investigation because they were dealing with dangerous people? And I’m sure your dad never went to jail... that was just a charade. But I want you to know that I’m not intimidated by you or your disgusting family of thugs, you may have the police on your pocket, but I won’t rest until justice is served,” Martin warns me with darkened eyes. 

I flinch back, intimidated by his words, and my back hits something solid. I turn my face and find Stefan standing behind me. He doesn’t even look at me, he’s staring at Martin, his eyes are pure rage. I see his fists are clenched and his muscles contracted. 

“Can I help you with something?” Stefan asks in a deep menacing voice.

“Get lost! No one’s talking to you,” Martin responds rudely.

With a swift move, Stefan places himself between me and Martin. He’s considerably taller than him and Martin takes a step back, intimidated. 

“Do you feel very brave bullying women? Why don’t you pick on someone your own size, you piece of trash?

Miranda smiles with admiration, but I just feel mortified, I hate this is happening. I wish I could go back in time, I would have never gone on that stupid date with Sam. 

“You...” 

Martin shuts up abruptly, I lift my face to see over Stefan’s shoulder and I find that he can’t speak because Stefan is grabbing him by the neck. Martin’s face starts going red and then redder. 

“Listen to me, I’m going to make you pay for harassing my girl and I’m the kind of man that likes to take his time when it comes to revenge... you will think about this moment and you are going to regret it unless you apologize to her immediately and never go near her again, then I’ll forgive you. It’s your choice.” 

Stefan releases Martin, he coughs a couple of times before he’s able to speak.

“Screw you! I’m not being intimidated by you or anyone,” Martin cries out as he stumbles back. 

“Your choice,” Stefan says calmly. 

Martin walks away flustered. He turns to see us every couple of steps to check if Stefan is not following him, but he is just standing in the same place next to us looking as Martin walks away.

“That was awesome! I thought he was going to cry!” Miranda exclaims while laughing.     

“Are you ok?” Stefan asks me with a worried expression on his face. 

I nod not convinced I’m actually ok, I just want this to be over, to be able to go out without being reminded of what happened that night. 

“Olivia, don’t let that fool bring you down. Everything he said is just crazy talk,” Miranda says trying to cheer me up. 

“What was he saying about a fire?” Stefan asks while he keeps his hands on my shoulders in a supportive gesture. 

“He blames Olivia’s dad for what happened to a guy we know, his house burnt down and somehow they think her dad was involved. Martin thinks Olivia comes from a mafia family,” Miranda explains. Stefan frowns as he listens. “Luckily, now that you have frightened him, I’m sure he won’t bother Olivia ever again... Oh, look! Barney is here!”

Miranda bounces cheerfully towards her new boyfriend. Stefan kisses my forehead gently. 

“Are you sure you are ok?” He whispers. “You seem downhearted.”

“I’m fine. Thank you for standing up to him,” I reply with a fake smile. 

Stefan takes my chin and lifts my face so our eyes meet. 

“I told you I would always protect you and I intend to keep that promise. That guy won’t bother you anymore.”  

Miranda comes back and formally introduces us to Barney. We sit down at our table to hang out for a while longer. I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but Barney seems very uncomfortable around us. He’s constantly looking over his shoulder and barely speaks, those few times he does talk he exclusively addresses Miranda as if Stefan and I weren’t here too. I fear he has heard the stories about me and thinks he’s in some kind of danger hanging around mobsters. I can see in Miranda’s eyes that she has noticed it too. After about thirty minutes of awkwardness, we part ways. Our movie is starting soon and Miranda and Barney have other plans. The irony doesn’t escape me, I was so focused on making Stefan and Miranda get along, I totally forgot it was important for me to get along with her boyfriend too.