Keri cut Mello off in the school hall, knocking him into a locker with surprising strength. He rubbed the back of his head, scowling at her with icy eyes, but he couldn't retaliate. Not because she was a girl. Frankly, gender never mattered; any disrespect meant he stood up for himself. Matt's relationship, however, granted her special privileges that Mello wished he never agreed to.
"Back off," he snapped. Students started to crowd around, whispering amongst each other.
"You back off from Matt," she snarled, smacking him across the face. Rage boiled in the pit of Mello's stomach.
Desperately, Mello counted backwards as he answered, "You don't own him."
"He's my boyfriend and I think it's disgusting that you flirt with him. Homosexuality is a sin, Mello." The words hushed their peers for a moment, imprinting in the kids' brains. Some murmured harsh words, others shook their head in denial. Someone even laughed.
Before Mello could stop himself, his fist flew into her jaw.