Sportacus was just about to help Stephanie up when he heard a too familiar voice. A voice that reminded him of his job. A low, growly voice.
"You sure are clumsy, Sportadrunk, when you're around your pretty little girlfriend…."
It was Robbie Rotten.
Right away Stephanie got up, went over to Robbie, took the palm of her hand, and gave Robbie a quick, sharp smack across the face, causing him to let out a long howl.
"Let me tell you one more time…. SPORTACUS….IS….MY….FRIEND….GOT IT?"
Robbie, not wanting to make a scene, quickly got up and ran out of the store, faster than he normally would.
"And if you don't like it, you can leave!" She yelled, to have the very last word.
Sportacus felt bad for Stephanie. He knew she was at that age, the age that when someone or something hurts you bad enough, you just have to let it out and go ballistic. He definitely knew that she didn't do it intentionally, but just to kind of, rough him up a bit.
"Sorry, Sportacus. We can leave now, right?"
"After we pay for all of this, and then we will get your mail. Is that okay?
Stephanie agreed.
Sportacus couldn't get that scene out of his head. Stephanie's hand, Robbie's face……..He didn't like to think of Stephanie that way. He didn't want anybody to think of her that way. Although he knew Robbie was sort of right, and that maybe, he did like her a little, Robbie doesn't have the right to make Stephanie act that way, and Robbie knows that too. Robbie likes to show off. He likes to bring embarrassment to people, especially Sportacus.
After paying the price of fifty-five dollars, they left to check the mail.
They ran through the town together, not realizing that Robbie was sleeping on a bench, with a pack of ice on his cheek.
When Stephanie saw him, she elbowed Sportacus and pointed to him. Sportacus and her laughed and continued on to her house.
Sportacus beat her to the mailbox. He beat her opening it, too.
"Nope, no new sports equipment or pink stuff in here!" He teased.
"Oh, shut up!" She teased back.
But what really was in the mailbox surprised them both.
A letter from Stephanie's parents. None of them knew what to say to each other…………
TO BE CONTINUED………………..