It was lunchtime and Betty and Gio were sat in the canteen together. They had become really close friends since that day in geography and spent all of their time together. They had fallen for each other but each was as scared as the other to reveal their feelings. Gio was not normally the shy sort of guy but when it came to Betty he was. He wanted to look after her and make sure no harm ever got near her.
They were sat outside eating lunch, when a bunch of guys walked past. "Four eyed freak", "Pizza face" and "cheese grater" were just a few of the names that were thrown in Betty's direction. Betty sighed and looked at Gio She was getting used to these names and having him here really helped her. He always managed to calm her down. She had even begun to get used to the bullies. Gio, however, was furious. He stood up and ran after the guys. "What was that pal?" he asked turning the guy round. "Oh look, loner boy is sticking up for his 'girlfriend'!" the guy exclaimed mocking Gio. Gio was getting agitated as their taunts kept flying at him. He wasn't exactly the calmest of all 17-year-old men. He threw a punch towards the main bully and floored him. His knuckle throbbed with pain as the other two guys that had been there moved towards him. Punch after punch and Gio was lying on the floor covered in bruises. Betty had run after him and was screaming for someone to come and help but no one listened. Eventually a teacher came over. "Come on Gio," she said as she guided him inside. Betty followed behind them, tears streaming down her face.
Once Gio had been to see the nurse, he and Betty sat inside their Spanish class, waiting for lunch to finish. Gio was laid out on the table with Betty sitting beside him holding his hand. "Gio, I was so worried. You are my best friend in the whole world and well…" she paused and took a deep breath. He turned and looked at her with anticipation. "Gio, I love you." She looked down at the floor. He noticed her cheeks turning a bright shade of red. He sat up and put his finger under Betty's chin, making her look at him. "Betty, I love you too. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go out sometime, but have always been too scared to," he said smiling. He winced at the pain that smiling had caused. She kissed her finger and gently ran her finger over his bruises. She smiled up at him. "So was that you asking me out?" she asked. He looked at her, "Yeah, I guess it was."
After their Spanish lesson, Gio and Betty walked home together. As normal, Gio would carry Betty's books and folders. Even with all the bruises on his face and body he was still the happiest he had ever been. "So where do you want to go and when?" Betty asked, her face lighting up. Gio stopped walking and suggested, "Well why don't I take you to the cinema or we could go bowling or dancing?" he said excitedly. Betty laughed at him and took hold of his hand. She had just made the first move. That wasn't like her?!? Gio had a way of making Betty feel and do things she never thought she could. That was part of his challenge and she loved that about him. Yes, she loved him!