The class erupted in cheers for their fellow classmates who had just finished their presentation on bacteria. The five friends smiled at everyone, proud of the work they've done, even if it had come at an unconventional great cost. None of their classmates were aware of the harrowing night they'd just gone through, the only signs being the bandages left on them to heal their wounds. Just as they reached the crescendo of their applause, the bell rang.

"Very good." The teacher said, looking over her grading sheet one more time. Despite her student's rugged appearance, they'd put on an allstar performance for their report. She had half a mind to inquire about their disheveled state, but decided it was best to just let it be. "And that's all for today! Class dismissed. Have a wonderful afternoon."

The class cheered even more, and the five report givers joined them in that. They all wasted no time in getting to their seats to put all their things away and head home. Sue sighed and put the papers away in her backpack. "For all the trouble we went through finding our way back from that museum, we better ace this one…" she said to no one in particular. Just a frustrated statement of hope that their suffering had been for something at least. She could still feel the tingling in her nose from where the thug had clobbered her. Beside her, her friends were already on their way out. Daisy had pulled Mike aside to speak to him, and Paulo was bragging to David, and anyone who would listen really, about how he'd beat the thugs up.

"So I totally beat up some thugs." He proclaimed, chest puffed out proudly.

"Wow!" David said, lapping up every word.

Sue rolled her eyes, David would believe anything Paulo said. The girl slung her backpack around her shoulders, ready to walk home. She said her farewells to her friends, and walked out the class into the crowded halls of the middle school. She could hear Paulo still boasting as he left the class, but she didn't care enough to interject. Paulo was just an idiot. 'Yeah.' Said a part of her mind. 'And that idiot still ran to your defense after being faced with his greatest fear.' This thought made Sue feel a little guilty about being so bitter toward the somali. Still, he shouldn't be showboating about such a thing. The whole affair had been most uncivilized.

The crowds packed up by the exit doors and spread out like water spilling from a container as students headed home, to the buses, or otherwise after school extracurriculars. Sue broke off from the pack and started the walk home, alone.

Meanwhile, Paulo had been trying to keep her in eyesight. There was something important he wanted to tell her. Just to have an excuse not to leave right when the bell rang, he started talking to the others about the night before. The idea was that it'd give Sue enough time to get her school things together, and he could meet her on the way out. This did not work as planned, as David, along with a few other of his classmates who had been drawn into his tale of daring do, kept pelting him with questions about the encounter. That forced him to start coming up with bolder and bolder things, which made it difficult to keep track of where the burmese was going.

Eventually he put an end to the story and told them all he'd tell them more the next day. The gaggle of students frowned and groaned, David the loudest, but they all dispersed and let the boy be. Paulo looked all around for the girl, but she'd vanished without a trace into the crowd. He was pushed outside by them all, and while he was annoyed, it did lead to him spotting her walking by herself down the sidewalk. He swallowed, steeled himself, and ran after her.

Sue's mind was so preoccupied with the night prior, she didn't hear Paulo calling her name. When he caught up to her and put a hand on her shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her fur. "Augh!" She cried, jerking away from him. "What is your problem? Are you trying to scare me to death?"

"What?" Paulo was shocked at her aggressiveness. "No! I was just trying to get your attention."

Sue shook her head and kept walking. "Honestly, Paulo, what did you think was gonna happen?"

Paulo frowned and grunted. "Really! I wasn't trying to…" He stopped. Was it really worth it now? Sue was so arrogant, so self absorbed… even when he wanted to show her a kind gesture she couldn't appreciate it. "Ah, just forget it!" He waved her off and turned to storm away.

Sue took a deep breath to recenter herself. She did a 180 to see Paulo stomping in the other direction, hands balled into fists. "Paulo! Wait! I'm sorry." Paulo stopped in his tracks. Sue took this as a que to continue. "You just really startled me, is all. I'm still really on edge because of last night."

'So.' He thought. 'She's thinking about it too. I wonder if she remembers…' Paulo turned back around and walked up to her. "It's all cool. Is it alright if I walk with you?"

Sue blinked, trying to process his request. What was this? He wanted to walk her home? Well, naturally… safety in numbers. They couldn't be too careful now. "I suppose that's fine…" She granted, still a little unsure. Paulo usually wanted nothing to do with her. But he smiled and gestured forward for her to keep going, so she did.

They walked in awkward silence for some time. Was it awkward? Sue looked at Paulo, whose head made a jerking motion in her peripheral vision as soon as she turned to look, as though he'd been looking at her. Then a realization hit her - "Paulo, isn't your house the other way?"

Paulo looked back and then to her sheepishly. He was becoming more anxious by the second, and he never let that emotion come through. Ever. Paulo was bold. Fearless… but now he was humbled. "Ah, yes. You're right. I just… I wanted to talk to you about something…"

"About last night." They both said at the same time, though Sue's was more of a question. What else could it have been?

Paulo laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. About last night."

Sue looked forward, also trying not to let her anxiety show too. "Go ahead."

Paulo took a deep breath, literally and emotionally. He couldn't believe he was about to say it, least of all to Sue. "Thank you. For… standing up for me last night."

Sue did a double take. No way. No shot. Did… Paulo just… THANK her? For anything, let alone for standing up for him. She hadn't even thought much of it. What he did, on the other hand, that was real heroism. She tried to be nonchalant about it, but she wasn't sure how good of a job she did. "Oh." She squeaked out. Then she cleared her throat. "You're welcome. You would have done the same for me. And you did."

Paulo smiled a little. It was a nice confidence boost. "Yeah. I s'pose I did."

"I know how much barking scares you…" She continued. Credit was due where it was due. "So, to see you come through after that, it meant a lot. You were willing to take on them both without question for us. For… me. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye." Paulo nodded a little, he had to agree with that. "But you were still willing to defend me even at your lowest. If that's not a real hero, I don't know what is."

The words had just slipped out her mouth. It was far more praise than she was planning on giving. Paulo stood up a little straighter and put on a cocky smile. "Yeah. A friggin' hero, that's what I am!"

Sue rolled her eyes and punched his arm playfully. "Don't let it go to your head, okay?"

"Alright, alright, I got it." The somali rubbed his arm. His smile faded and he got serious. "I just… I dunno. I was freaking out really hard… but then I saw him hit you." Paulo took a pause before continuing. "Something came over me… I… I was just so angry… I wanted to tear him apart for doing it… you didn't deserve that."

Sue stopped and looked at him, a little worried. "It's really alright, Paulo. We're both safe now. I don't think that thug is going to be in a hurry to fight any of us again."

Paulo nodded, stopping with her. "You're right. I just wish I hadn't been so powerless. I'm supposed to be the tough one, right? I'm supposed to be strong."

Sue could see all of his insecurities pouring out of him. He was really opening himself up, to her of all people. How could she convince him otherwise? But then she had an idea. One thing she knew Paulo would respond to. She leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Paulo went wide-eyed, stunned. "You're not powerless. What you did last night was seriously one of the bravest things I have ever seen anyone do. Standing up for your friends even though you were outmatched. Pushing past your fears to defend us. To defend ME, someone you don't really get along with. I'll never forget that, ever." Sue felt her cheeks going red and she lowered her gaze and her voice. "And… maybe in a way… from now on, I know as long as you're around, we'll all be safe. Even… even me. And that's a comforting thought."

It was a lot for Paulo to take in. From one of them spilling their guts to another. Sue's kiss, her kind words… "Sue, I had no idea you felt this way."

"Well now you do." The girl sniffed. "And don't go around telling everyone about this because I'll just deny it." Paulo smiled. Good old Sue. "Now that's all out of the way, you can go home." She started her walk again. This time Paulo didn't follow.

"See you at school!" He called to her.

She waved without looking back. "Goodbye, Paulo. Go home and do some homework for once."

The somali smiled and walked the other way, reveling in the conversation they'd had. Sue was doing the same, though she gently pressed two fingers to her lips, thinking warmly on the brief moment they had touched his.