Maria sat at school in the canteen, with her tray next to her instead of in front of her. She was distracted, thinking of the girl who had been shouting insults at her earlier.
"You're the type of girl who will never get a boyfriend!"
Maria sighed. What if the girl was right? Maria was nothing but a loser. She stood up and walked out of the canteen, not hungry any more. As she walked past the lockers, a hand touched her elbow, pulling her back and turning her to face them. It was Clyde, one of her friends. "Don't let Jessie get to you, Maria." Clyde's face was soft and caring. Maria looked down. "I guess I'll try not to." She said. The bell rung for home time and she turned to leave, relieved it was the last day of the term. Clyde stopped her again, walking alongside her. "Can I see you in the holidays?" he asked her. "Sure. If you want to, you can." Maria replied, smiling at him. Clyde walked her home, and then turned to her, grinning. "I think anyone who doesn't want you as a girlfriend is mad, Maria." He told her. Maria blushed. "Thanks, Clyde. See you." Maria smiled, walking into her house. In the middle of the night, Maria looked out of her window to see a ghost-like demon. She pulled on her jeans, t-shirt, and trainers, and ran silently downstairs, going out the front door and closing it quietly behind her. The demon slowly approached her menacingly. Maria backed away, round the path and onto the road. The demon had fire in its hands, and it was about to kill Maria. Suddenly, a hand grabbed hers and the siren was suddenly gone in a puff of smoke. Maria turned and hugged Clyde tightly. "I thought it was going to…" Maria began, but Clyde stopped her. "Don't worry. You're safe." He whispered. Maria pulled her head back, her arms still around him, enough to look him in the eye. "Thank you Clyde. For being there for me. For caring about me and sticking up for me. And for being an amazing friend." Maria whispers. Clyde's hand goes to the side of Maria's face, and pulls her forward until her lips are on his. After a few moments, he pulls away, looking down and pulling his arms gently away from her. "Sorry. I should…go…" he said, turning to leave. Maria ran in front of him, locked her arms round his neck and pressed her lips against his. After a long, long, long few minutes, they broke apart. "See you tomorrow." Clyde said. "Yeah." Whispered Maria.