AU Where they both are in college and study together in the library but they haven't talked to each other.

The library

"Dear students , we remind you that in fifteen minutes the doors of the library will be closed. Thank you and goodnight"

Gail had been so focused on her studies that she didn't noticed that It was already 9 pm. She sighed and stretched herself looking around the library. There were only a few people, most of the students had finished their exams and only a few had the last one left. There was this awkward boy with the cool Star Wars t-shirt that, miraculously, hadn't brought his girlfriend with him today. That annoying redhead. Two guys literally sleeping on their notes. One girl with eye bags and dishevelled, with three empty coffee cups in front of her. And her library mate. Well, they weren't mates, they had been sitting on the same table during the passed two weeks and they were now used to the company of the other. The girl in question was tall, tanned with amazing brown eyes and dark wavy hair that fall like a cascade around her face And had beautiful crocked smile that melted Gail every time she received one as a 'Hello' or 'Good bye' . She was pretty. Absolutely stunning . I would love to touch your hair. Gail thought the first time she saw her.

And she was leaving. She kept all her books in that briefcase (or lunchbox, like Gail liked to call it), and stood up. She smiled at Gail and whispered "Good night". Gail just smiled back, and waved her hand shyly. She looked how that beautiful girl opened the door and… She was gone. Gail stared at the place that was in front of her, were the girl had been all this time. She used to stay at the library until the librarian had to literally kick her out. But today no. Today she though, maybe she could end a bit earlier, and see if Lunchbox shared some of her pathway to home, or used the bus, or her own car… Ok, that's creepy Gail. Buuut if you don't tell anyone it isn't, it is just you, going out a bit early. That's all.

Gail got up and threw the books into her bag, shoved it on her shoulder. She picked up her skate and ran out of the Library, ignoring the death glares from the workers and students that were still there.

When she arrived to the street, there was only darkness, and no sight of the Lunchbox girl. She sighed and started walking home, she wasn't in the mood of using the skate. She had walked only 2 minutes from the library when she heard a voice.

"Stop it, please"

"Shut up! Slut! Let me fix you"

"Don't! please… please. I will do whatever you want but please-" The girl couldn't end the sentence because something hit her.

Gail turned the corner and couldn't believe what she was seeing. A 1'80 meters guy, with strong body and half of his bald head tattooed was grabbing the girl, her girl, from the arm, pressing her against the wall. His other hand was lost under the girl's jacket. Her briefcase was on the floor, her books sprawled all over the floor.

"I told you to SHUT UP, YOU BITCH! Just… let me touch you like a man would, I'm going to fix you… you would stop being a dyke and know how to-" BANG! "AAAAAAAAAAAH!" The man fall on his knees bent back, with his hands on his back, where Gail had hit him with her skate.

"Come here!" She rushed the girl. She grabbed her by the waist. "Pick up your things and run. Leave! " Gail ordered. Then she turned where the man was starting to stand again.

"Who do you think you are, little bitch? Are you an other-" CRACK!

This time his cheek met her fist and his nose met her boot, and threw him back. Laying on his side. "You better learn to treat women respectfully" She spat at him while he moaned on the floor. "You people are the worse, trying to fix things that aren't even broken. If I see you near, or even around the city, I will make sure your life a living hell"

She grabbed her skater and bag, that were lying on the floor and left him there. When she rounded the corner hissing and examining her knuckles, Gail saw the girl, standing a few meters in front of her. She had the eyes and the cheeks wet and red from the crying, and had her bag clenched with her arms in her chest.

"Hey, are you ok?" Gail asked. The girl nodded. "Do you live this way?" She pointed ahead. The girl just nodded again. "Ok, I will… escort you, to your house, to make sure you… you know… come on, lead the way"

They walked in silence for a couple of minutes, Gail texting and the girl just looking in front of her.

"Thank you"

"What?"

"Thank you, for saving me… you didn't have to and you just"

"It's ok lunchbox. What he was doing was… just… I had to stop him. I couldn't let anything happen to you" She admitted, and blushed a bit after realizing what she just said. The girl smiled.

"I'm Holly, by the way"

"Nice to properly meeting you, Holly by the way, I'm Gail. Gail Peck." The girl, Holly, giggled. It was a nice sound.

"It's nice hear you laugh" Shit Gail, did you just said that out loud.

"It's nice see you smile and not scowling at your books" Awesome Gail, you made an awesome first- wait… she said she was watching you, interesting.

"We are here" Holly announced. They stopped in front of the door of a small town house. "Thank you for everything"

"It was nothing" Gail shrugged.

"It was something. And that was a very brave act. You are very brave." She smiled and added "My knight in shinning armour"

"I would like not to be. I would like that you hadn't have to experience that"

Holly looked at the floor. "It's not the first time" She murmured.

"What do you mean?"

"He has always called me things, or pushed me, or insult me… Although he had never got this far"

"And now is when I play my part. The texts that I've been sending before? I've send them to my Super-Awesome-Cop-Mum, I will never admit I called her that ever, with the description of the guy. So now the hospitals are warned, and if you want to, you could go and testify … " Gail stopped talking. The girl in front of her had watery eyes and had her mouth covered by her hand. Gail got worried "Did I do something wrong? "

The girl shook her head. "Thanks, a lot. Really." She trapped her in a big hug and said in to her ear "You are my saviour, thank you Gail. For everything. I would never have the courage to do it by myself"

They continued hugging a bit longer and then, just pulling away when Gail's phone vibrated.

"I… I have to go but, I mean, If you want you could, for your own safety you know… you could keep my number and I could… We could meet and go to the library together." Silence "If you want to"

"I would love to" Holly grabbed her phone and called herself.

"Yeah, well. Good night Holly"

"Good night Gail" Holly said, and planted a kiss in her new friend's cheek. Then she just disappeared in side the house.

OMG, Gail thought, what a night.