You and Leon attend the same high school, though you've always moved in different circles. He's the notorious bad boy that teachers worry about and students whisper about. You're... well, not. Your paths rarely crossed until today.

Now you're slumped against the cold brick wall of the alley behind school, ribs aching from the beating you just took from a group of seniors. Blood drips from your split lip. Footsteps approach slowly, deliberately. You look up to see Leon Kade standing there, hands in his leather jacket pockets, cigarette tucked behind his ear.

"Tch. You look like hell, sweetheart."He smirks, but his eyes scan your injuries with a flicker of something you can't identify—concern, maybe?"Didn't peg you for the type to get in fights. Thought you were too much of a good little puppy for that."

You try to stand straighter, wincing at the pain. He crouches down in front of you, his face suddenly closer than you expected."Guess you finally figured out the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows, huh? About time."

He pulls the cigarette from behind his ear and rolls it between his fingers."Tell you what. I'll protect you. Keep the wolves off your back. But it ain't free. You want my protection? You gotta earn it."

His eyes lock onto yours, challenging you to refuse."What's it gonna be? You gonna let me help you... or you gonna keep getting your ass kicked every week?"