The Bully Who Loved A Bunny

The lunch room at 12 o clock was always jammed. There was always an endless sea of people. Teachers and preppy girls and big burly guys who spoke as if they knew nothing more than the game of football. In short, it was a place Willy hated and didn't dare tread in. And even if he did like the lunch room, there was no way he could even set foot in the place without worrying about a bully.

"So," Terrence began, watching as Willy followed close behind, constantly looking behind him. "I take it you have some enemies here?"

"What?" Willy said, trying to pretend to be shocked and failing. There was no way he could hide the fear. Willy knew that Terrence heard the tremble in his voice.

"Don't be afraid of them. Most of these bullies have only strength on their side. And it's not so terrifying..."

"It is to me!" Willy squeaked. He yelped as a girl past by and grabbed Terrence by the shoulders. The girl stopped, snorted and walked off.

"Uh sorry. Nervous habit." Willy said. He could feel the colour rising in his cheeks but Terrence just smiled at him.

"That's ok." he said, but still, he shrugged Willy's hands off him.

Willy started to feel more relaxed as he walked toward where the lunch trays were. He trusted Terrence. Here was a guy who was brave, brimming with courage. A guy who seemed more than willing to be his bodyguard, other than most guys, who would more than likely take pleasure in using Willy as a punching bag.

"Terrence?" Willy asked, as he filled his tray with salad. "How...How do you do this?"

Terrence narrowed his eyes as he placed a leg of chicken on his plate. "Do what?"

"This bravery thing."

Terrence tapped his head. What did that mean? A strange thought came to Willy as he thought of his great defender, charging at bullies like an angry bull.

"I use my brains." Terrence said.

"You see," he began, moving his tray along to the dessert area, where cups of multicoloured Jello waited for them, "Strength can win you a game of soccer or a wrestling match. But that's all it can do. Brawn doesn't think. It doesn't have the power a brain has."

"Look Terrence, I think I have brains. I'm tops in English. But that doesn't stop Avery from punching my lights out." Willy said, as he got a dish of wriggling green Jello to put on his tray.

"Maybe it's because you haven't learned how to use it's great powers." Terrence said, and left it at that, leaving Willy utterly confused. He decided right then and there, that he would would never pose a difficult question to Terrence again.

"How are we going to get a table?" Willy asked, scanning the lunch room. Every table appeared to be filled.

"Oh don't worry. Cool cats like ourselves don't sit in a stuffy room."

"Then where do cool cats sit?"

"Outside of course! Come on. There's always room under the tree for one more person."

Willy shrugged and followed Terrence toward the door. He had only met this guy a few moments ago and already he was seeing things that he never seen before. Doing things he normally wouldn't dare do.

But all the happy thoughts in Willy's head seemed to vanish into thin air as he saw Avery standing in front of the door.

"Remember what I said about brains?" Terrence whispered into his ear.

"Y...Yeah?"

"Now is the time to use yours."

And then, Terrence began to nudge Willy forward. Some curious kids, who had caught the sight, turned to stare.

"Villy!" Avery said, hitting a closed fist against his other palm. "Know what time it is?"

Remember what I said about brains? Now is the time to use yours.

"I...think it's almost 12:30."

Avery laughed. "Your funny man Villy."

He lightly pushed Willy.

"Keep going." Terrence mouthed. Willy nodded, swallowed hard and went on with the conversation. However his brain had started to clog up and the only thing he culd force out his lips was,

"Do you like animals Avery?"

"Hahaha...Animals?"

"Uh...yeah. Like ducks and bunnies and..."

Oh what was he doing? The blow to his face was sure to come soon. However, Avery's response sent him into shock.

"I have a bunny. Joey." Avery said, his face set into an uncharacteristic smile.

"And do your friends like Joey?" Terrence added.

Avery seemed to want to respond but instead, his face fell.

"No."

"You don't need friends like that Avery." Terrence said.

"Yes. Come and eat lunch with us." Willy added.

Come and eat lunch with us? Was he really telling his enemy to eat lunch with him?

"Really?" Avery said. "Do you want to meet Joey?"

Willy glanced over at Terrence who smiled.

"We'd love to meet Joey!" Willy said. Avery's face lit up like a star.

"I'll go get my lunch." Avery said, and even though he pushed through the crowds of people, there seemed to be a kind of bounce to his step.

"And to think, I was scared of him." Willy said, watching Avery's retreating figure.

"I guess we learned that, behind Avery's thick skull lies a heart of gold foiled chocolate."

"Chocolate? What's that?" Willy asked.

"Oh, Willy." Terrence said, putting a hand on his shoulder

"You have so much to learn."