A/N-Here we are with another chapter. It inspires me so much when I come back to find my inbox full of reviews and people who have added this to their story alerts! So much that I've already started working on the next chapter.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and hopefully this chapter meets up to your expectations.

I'm still pretty horrible at writing, so please go easy :)

The next morning Tammy awoke to the sound of her father making breakfast, and an aching soreness that spread over her whole body. She felt as horrible as she looked, and not just because she had gotten into a fight with a gang of rough boys. The look on her father's face had eaten at her heart, and now she felt horrible. She hadn't meant to fight with them...

The Day Before

Tammy hopped off her bike, feeling only slightly better for telling her father about the situation with Leslie. Leslie, oh how she hated that girl. It was a hate that reached inside her and stirred up her rage in a matter of seconds. Why did Leslie say such horrible things? Was she that tomboyish? Since when did Leslie feel that way towards her? It must have been her new boyfriend. Leslie was already fifteen, almost sixteen. It made sense that she had a boyfriend. But he was not a good person. Tammy had already tried to tell Leslie that.

He must have found out. Leslie would never act that way toward her all on her own. Great, now she hated the boyfriend too. What was his name? Kale? Kyle? She didn't remember. He wasn't worth remembering. But at least she still had the river. Usually she was the only one to go there, and there was a specific tree she really like to sit under to think out her problems. It was the perfect little haven.

Except for today apparently. There she sat, that little whore who had been so cruel. And in HER spot on top of it all. Tammy approached, seething with pent up anger.

"What do you think you're doing? This is my spot. You know that I like to come here to think," she spat out, the venom clear in her voice.

"Oh I know. But I decided that I like this spot. Sorry. I guess there's no room for tomboys," said Leslie, clearly pleased with her defiance.

"Where is this coming from Leslie? I though we were friends and now you just turn on me? What the hell?" Tammy was so close to yelling, but she restrained herself. Leslie looked up at Tammy with a sneer.

"Kyle says I don't need you. You're just a freak. And besides, I have new friends now. You're old news." Leslie stood up with a smile.

"Besides, your dad is just a dog of the military. Dispensible. One day they'll send him out to war, and when he dies you'll have no one. Cause obviously your mother is nowhere to be found. So you'll be a worthless street child, and I have no room for any of your trauma. At least my father is a respectible businessman. Your father is just a worthless piece of-"

Leslie didn't get to finish her sentence as Tammy let out a wild growl and tackled her to the ground. Sitting on top of the girl Tammy let all her anger pour out.

"Don't you EVER insult my father! He's a better man than your dad could ever hope to be!"

And with that, Tammy slammed her fist into Leslie's nose. She was about to hit her again, when she felt her arms get pulled behind her, and she was lifted off the girl. Leslie was crying, and her nose was gushing blood all over her dress. It might have even been broken.

Tammy struggled against whoever was holding her back. They didn't let go, but rather, spun her around and put a knee in her stomach. Tammy gasped, the wind completely knocked out of her. She got a glance of her attackers. It was Kyle and his gang, five boys including Kyle. He looked so severely pissed off, she felt more fear than when she had taken on the terrorists on the train.

"This should teach you a lesson. You'll never touch my girlfriend again. You hear me? NEVER!"

Tammy shut her eyes as he came at her and punched her in the head. Well that was going to leave a mark.

"What do you think boys? Want to show her a good time?" shouted Kyle. Tammy winced as all the boys let out a cheer. She cried out as she was dropped on the ground and kicked repeatedly. Just as she thought they were done she was lifted to her feet and hit again. She stumbled back, but managed to keep her balance. With a wild cry, she smashed her fist into the back of Kyle's head. Turning she raised her fist to take out the next boy who came at her, but instead was met with a kick to the stomach. Falling back, she came to a conclusion. If there was any a time to run, it was now.

Quickly picking herself up, she turned around and ran before they could hit her again. Kyle let out a shout.

"Come on boys! She's getting away!"

Tammy ran as fast as her sore body would allow, running along the hill just next to the river. She almost considered using alchemy against the boys, but she didn't want to accidentally hurt someone badly, and even if she didn't, they would get more pissed off and call for backup that was most likely waiting very nearby.

She would have made it, had she not been so sore. She felt herself starting to slow, as the pain set in. Before she knew it, they had tackled her again. Finally, she stopped fighting. It hurt so bad, she doubted she could even use alchemy now. Faintly in the background, she heard Leslie yelling at the boys to stop, but they seemed to have selective hearing. Tammy cried out for help, but that just seemed to root the boys on.

After what seemed like a lifetime, they let up and finally, stopped completely. Tammy could hear their voices, but they seemed far away. Struggling, she stood, shakey and broken. They were still there, sneering. Tammy hurt, but miraculously she didn't have any broken bones. With one last glance, she turned to walk away. It seemed the only part of her that wasn't aching was her legs. She was along the river, where the pathway turned into a steep hill that sloped down toward the water.

At least they were letting her leave, she thought, not really keeping track of where she was headed. She vaguely hoped that she was headed toward her bike.

Suddenly, without warning she was shoved foward.

"Hey, man! Stop it, we already got our beating in! You're gonna kill her!" shouted one of the boys.

Tammy tipped forward, tripping over one of the boulders that lined the edge of the hill. She screamed as she hit the ground, and she began a fast roll, down the hill and finally, into the water.

The sun had already set, so the hitting the water was like landing in ice. She sputtered and splashed, as the shocking cold water hit her. She dipped under and then pulled herself back up, managing to grab hold of the side of the river. At least the current wasn't too strong.

It was ages before she found the strength to pull herself out of the water, shivering. Dragging herself up the hill, she limped her way through the dark, until she found her bike. She was glad to discover that it lay untouched. Grudgingly, she got on and began a slow ride home.

Getting dressed, she slipped on the sweater she hated so much. Come to think of it, it had been her father that had bought it for her. Even if she hated it, she was going to wear it. The day was already going to be awkward enough without him seeing the marks. Pulling her hair back out of her face, she tied it in its usual ponytail, but after a moments consideration, let it fall back into place. Maybe it would cover some of it up.

She had stalled for a good ten minutes, standing in front of the mirror, checking every detail of her outfit, her hair, basically any reason to justify not going to the kitchen for breakfast. She doubted that she had ever spent as much time in front of the mirror as she did that morning. It wasn't long before she knew that she had to go out and face the music. It was do or die. Go time!

"...I'm so not cut out for this," she said to herself.

Finally, she took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door.

"Alrighty. I can do this..." she muttered, trying to assure herself. The real truth was that she felt like she was close to hyperventilating and passing out. Stepping out of her bedroom, she silently closed the door behind her, and moved stealthly, down the hall. The first thing she saw was her father sitting at the table reading the paper. Her breakfast sat ready and waiting. Breathe in. Breathe out. In. Out. Oh God...

In one swift movement she moved down the hall, slid out her chair, and was poking at her eggs. Maybe he didn't notice. She smiled, hopeful, but almost choked on her egg as he lowered his paper to look at her. After staring at each other for a couple seconds that felt like a million years, he lifted up his paper again and continued reading. Tammy sat completely still. The silent treatment? He usually didn't pull out that tactic. She sighed. He must have really been pissed off.

She was going to break the silence. If she didn't, he could hold out for days. And Tammy had been looking foward to going out with him. Taking a deep breath she spoke.

"I-I'm sorry," she said, stuttering, almost struggling, to get the words out. There was silence and then she heard him sigh from behind his paper. He lowered it again.

"Did you start it? Did you intentionally pick a fight with Leslie and her boyfriend?" he asked, eyeing her carefully, his tone quiet but not angry. Tammy stared down at her eggs.

"Not really. I mean, well... yeah, but... she was making fun... yeah... But I didn't go after her looking for a fight. She waited for me at the river, and started going on and on about it was her spot and there was no room for me anymore, and that Kyle said that she didn't need me anymore..." she lowered her voice to a tiny whisper.

"And she made fun of you too..."

Roy frowned.

"Come again? I missed that last part," he said, looking confused. Tammy shrugged.

"Nevermind, it's not important."

Roy looked like he was about to question it, but reconsidered.

"So... after she got you so angry, ... what did you do?"

"I-I, well, I kinda, mighta, jumped her. And I m-might have broken her nose..."

Roy sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"You jumped her, and might have broken her nose? Tammy..."

The frustration and dissapointment, were clear in his voice. Tammy just wanted to melt into her chair. They sat, staring at each other again.

"Will you make me a promise, Tammy?" he asked, finally ending their staring match. Tammy nodded quickly, ready to accept anything to right her wrong in her father's eyes. Roy folded his paper and set it down, resting his chin on his hands.

"Walk away next time. Leave. Don't fight. I can't stand it when I come home and find you beaten and in pain. I know it's hard to control your temper but... just promise me okay?"

Tammy almost argued against it. How could she just walk away, when Leslie said such awful things? But the look in her father's eyes was enough to make her nod in agreement.

"I promise."

"Alright. Good. But, just stay away from the river for a little while okay? You're just asking for trouble if you go back there in the next couple days," he said, already up and clearing the dishes. Tammy nodded again.

She still felt so horrible, even though he didn't seem angry anymore. It seemed like she would have preferred him to yell at her. At least she would have been redeemed in a sort of sick sense. Crossing her arms over her chest she stood, and made her way toward her room again. She turned when Roy spoke again.

"Tammy?"

"Yeah, dad?"

Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, he had her in a tight hug.

"You scare me sometimes. Be more careful," he said, and then pulled away as if nothing had happened.

Tammy smiled. Could there be any better feeling?

Redemption.

Well, there it is. Poor Tammy! I hate Leslie so much. XD What am I saying? I wrote this. I did this... oh how cruel I am.

Next chapter comes with shopping and maybe an appearance by a certain hot-headed blond.

Please keep reading, and don't hesistate to tell me anything that you think is bad about this story. I always take constuctive critism into account.

See you next chappie!