Tommy gulped, as he turned around slowly to come face to face with Chuck, followed by Tim and Travis Eckert, and some other cronies who Tommy thought were his friends.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Tommy squeaked out nervously.

"Didn't you hear me the first time, Dawkins? Introduce us to your friends." Chuck commanded as he shoved Tommy backwards.

"Hey! What's your problem?" Lori piped up from behind Tommy.

"Aw, look, Trav, Dawkins's girlfriend wants to defend him, how sweet." Tim commented from behind Chuck.

"Shut up! I'm not his girlfriend!" Lori roared from behind Tommy, and he had to push her back to keep from tackling one of them.

"And who's this freak show?" Chuck said as he gestured to Merton, "Another friend for you to show off to?"

Merton stood there, resembling a statue of a small puppy dog, pouting at its master. Even though no one responded except for Lori's rants and shouts, Chuck continued.

"You aren't gonna even do anything, Dawkins? Huh? Are you?" Chucked demanded, shoving Tommy harder this time.

"I'm warning you, man, don't touch me again," Tommy said, almost as light as whisper. "you'll regret it." he clenched his fists and gave Chuck a cold stare.

"Oh yeah?" Chuck pushed Tommy, causing him to fall over and into the dirt. The gang behind Chuck laughed raucously. As Tommy tried to pull himself up, he heard a sickening "Crack!" He looked over to where Chuck was standing. Instead of a sneering Chuck, Tommy saw Lori and her outright fist remaining in the air, while Chuck fell in slow motion to the ground. Tommy got up quickly, staring at Lori and the crowd of boys in front of her.

"Whoa..." Merton uttered, astonished. He'd never seen anyone do THAT before.

Chuck got up quickly, still holding his chin in his hands. "Why little bi-" Chuck got out before swinging his fist at Lori. She ducked quickly, his arm skimming her hair. Merton snickered, laughing at the look on Chuck's face. Chuck growled in anger, and lunged at Merton.

"Oof!" Merton moaned as he was drove into the ground.

Chuck laughed with delight from the pain he put into Merton.

"Looks like this one isn't so tough," Chuck said as he got up, and motioned the others to crowd around Merton, "let's get him."

"Leave him alone!" Tommy interrupted, shoving Chuck out of the way. Soon enough, they were both on the ground, rolling around and punching each other. Once, Tim tried to get in a cheap shot and help Chuck, but Lori caught him in the act, and started kicking him in the shins.

"Help me, Trav, she's vicious!" Tim wailed, and Travis tried to pull Lori away, but she snarled at him and he ran away screaming. Merton was crouched by the tubes of the jungle gym, watching with wide eyes the havoc happening in the playground. Nearly everyone had scattered, except for the two still trying to fend for themselves, and Travis hiding in the slide. Merton watched as Tommy pinned Chuck down finally. Even though it was a violent struggle, Merton hadn't really seen Tommy trying to hurt Chuck, more like Tommy defending himself.

"Get off of me!" Chuck screamed, struggling under the weight on his stomach.

"I'll let you leave if you never bother me about being a show off, and if you stop making fun of everyone and..."

'Okay, I get it. Can you please get off of me now?" Chuck begged.

"Fine.." said Tommy reluctantly as he stood up, watching Chuck rise while rubbing his ribs.

"Come on Tim, let's go" Chuck called over to his large friend, who was whimpering while rubbing his shins. They both left rather quickly, considering that Tim was almost in tears.

"Well," Lori said as she dusted off her hands and walked over to Tommy, "feel like having this much fun everyday?"