The next day Moxxie was still feeling the glee from the previous day. He was practically skipping his way to school. Then when the school was in view he was surprised to see Mildred out front. She wasn't fighting, arguing, or anything. She was just there standing around. She then looked his way and got a joyful smile.

"Moxxie!" She yelled, waving at him.

The minute his name came out of her mouth everyone's eyes were on him. Many with confusion, others with hatred. Mildred, the strongest fighter in school, just called out to him. Mildred didn't notice the piercing glares and ran up to him.

"Come on. Let's go to class together." She practically dragged him to the classroom. He didn't mind though. He was so happy she wanted to spend time with him that he stopped caring about the stares.

In the classroom, Mildred pushed Moxxie into a seat next to her while giving a death glare to the imp who was supposed to sit there.

"So Moxxie I was wonderin' how would you feel about…" but before she could finish her sentence another imp shoved Moxxie and the desk away from her causing it to topple over.

"Hey B****. Come hang with me instead of the wimp."

Mildred looks extremely annoyed by his pick-up. She especially didn't like the fact that it was a command rather than a request. She looked at Moxxie who was slowly getting up while rubbing the back of his head and checking to see if he was bleeding. He was not but his head did hurt. The big guy then moved another desk over to Mildred and sat down.

Moxxie looked over at them and got depressed. No way he could fight that guy. Well, he could but there was no way he would win. He knew he would just make a bigger fool of himself in front of Mildred and that was the last thing he wanted.

He began to walk away but then a voice called out to him.

"Moxxie wait!" To his surprise, Mildred got up from her desk and ran to him.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't bother yourself with me anymore." Just saying this hurt him a lot but he knew it was for the best.

"What bull**** are you saying. I hang out with who I want. Who cares what those d**** says." She then grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the classroom.

"What about class?"

"We're ditchin'." She said proudly.

"What!" Moxxie said in shock. "B-b-but I never…"

Mildred stopped and turned to give him a pouty face. "You don't want to hang out with me?"

Moxxie blushed and scratched his head. "I guess this once won't…" before he could finish, Mildred began pulling again.

"Great! Let's go to this great place I know." Moxxie could only smile. He was so happy she chose him over the other guys. They exited the school but again someone was watching them in the shadows. This time they gave a beastly growl and walked away.

Since that day Mildred and Moxxie began hanging out constantly. Going to restaurants, shows, and really anything that came to mind. Moxxie was surprised to see that Mildred seemed to enjoy herself no matter where they went. Even to some of the musicals, he adored. He honestly thought she would find them boring but she looked genuinely interested in them. But after a few days of this Moxxie began to wonder if her enjoyment was real. He began to think she was pushing herself or pretending to like them to not hurt him. Finally, he had to make sure so on one of these outings to a restaurant he asked her.

"Say...Mildred…" He was extremely nervous to ask this.

"What is it, Moxxie?"

"I-I-I was just wondering if you are having fun?" He was so scared of her reply that he clenched his fists and held his breath.

Mildred chuckled and said, "of course. Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

He took a breath and said, "I-I-It's just…" he took another quick breath. "...no one ever showed interest in my interests before. Everyone thought they were boring or a waste of time."

Mildred got a serious look and said, "well to be honest there were times I was bored…"

"I knew it!" Moxie said in disappointment. He almost began to cry.

"...But I still had fun just being with you." Mildred gave him a gentle smile and Moxxie was shunned silent.

"R-really?" Moxxie asked with a small smile. Mildred nodded. Moxxie was really happy for a moment but then lost his smile. "But…" he thought for a moment. "But why? You are this amazing, tough, funny, beautiful…" Moxxie stopped after that and blushed, realizing he was pouring his heart to her. Mildred just grinned loving all the things he said to her.

"Because you are caring, talented, hard-working, and tougher than you think." Moxxie was confused by the last one and Mildred saw this. "You take all those beatings but never lose yourself. You continue to push through and never back down and instead get back up and try again. Not many people are capable of that." Moxxie was stunned by this person. This incredible imp was complimenting him. He was so happy tears of joy began to fall. Mildred giggled at this and leaned over to whip his tears away. "But honestly I am more surprised that you were interested in my interests," Mildred added.

Moxxie chuckled and said, "Yeah...well...I may not look like it but don't mind watching fights. I especially like watching your fights. You fight beautifully. I actually really enjoy watching you take on all those tough guys." Moxxie was gleefully explaining this but then got sad again. "I wish I could do that."

Mildred then said, "Well I don't think fighting is for you…" Moxxie took a stab to the hurt from this. "...But that doesn't mean you're weak. Just find your own way of fighting."

Moxxie gave a small smile. "OK."

After that, they decided to call it a day and went their separate ways. Moxxie was smiling the whole way home but just when he was almost there he was grabbed into an alley and pushed to the ground. When he looked up he saw none other than Bruno but he was not alone. Many of his friends were with them and grinning evilly at Moxxie.

"Having fun, Moxxie?" Bruno said in a threatening manner. Moxxie didn't answer and tried to back away from him but found he was surrounded by Bruno's gang. "Now why are you trying to leave? We just want to have a talk." Bruno said in a tone that sounded friendly but forceful.

"About what?" Moxxie asked, a bit mad. He was upset that Bruno was interrupting his joyous time.

"About you and…" Bruno gained a very scary expression. "...Mildred."

At the mention of her name Moxxie instantly gave him a death glare.

"No need to give me that look. I just want to know what you are to her?"

"Why do you want to know that?" Moxxie asked.

Bruno chuckled, "just curious."

"We're…" Moxxie took a minute to think about what they were. "...friends?" He wasn't one hundred percent sure this was right but it seemed to fit for now.

"Mmm…" Bruno hummed. "...then as her friend, I recommend you stay away from her."

"Why?!" Moxxie yelled.

Bruno then went straight for Moxxie's throat and began to squeeze. "Because if you don't I will make sure you regret it. That b**** shouldn't be with a p**** like you. She should be with someone like me. Big, brave, strong…" At this point Moxxie gave a very small chuckle and whispered, "says the one who was beaten in seconds." Bruno heard this and instantly got furious. He began to strangle Moxxie so hard that Moxxie couldn't breathe. The others laughed as they watched him struggle to get free. After what felt like forever but was only a couple of seconds Bruno released Moxxie. He dropped to the ground coughing vigorously as he tried to catch his breath.

"Last warning. Stay away from that B****." Bruno and his friends then walked away leaving Moxxie light-headed still catching his breath.

When they were gone Moxxie punched the ground hard. He was angry for not being able to defend against them. He was also angry that they were obviously going to go after Mildred and there was nothing he could do. All he felt he could do was stand back and watch but with how many there were even Mildred would struggle. After a moment of thought, Moxxie finally let out a loud frustrated yell.

After taking a moment to calm himself he finally made a decision. He would stay away from Mildred. For now. Right now he was too weak and being with her would hold her down. He declared to himself he would find a way to help protect her. After this declaration, he walked home still feeling the pain from the strangulation but was now full of determination to change himself for the better.