"You always say I like another girl. No, Amber, I don't. I don't like another girl, I like you."

"You stare at her though. You make her laugh and you flirt with her..."

"So what? You want me to not make her happy? Is that it?"

"No! You can make people happy, you're good at that. But if making someone happy looks like hardcore flirting to a stranger, than no. Don't make that person happy."

"You're telling me what to do."

"What? No. I..."

"What Amber? What?"

"I want to be special to you. I want -"

"You are special to me."

"...Just me Jay. Just me."

"..."

*tears trickling down cheeks* "You know what? Fine. Fine. Go ahead a flirt with any girl you want. Make every girl feel special, and let every single girl find out she's not the only one."

"Amber-"

"No girl is going to like it. They're all going to hate you."

"Do you hate me, Amber?"

*pause* "I never thought it was possible to hate you, Jay. But now I'm learning that it is."

"Amber... I..."

"Jay, I... I really, really like you. It's just so hard to fight for you when you don't care if you're fought for or not."

"You're still here, though."

"I'll talk to you sometime, Jay. Just... I can't do this anymore."

"Amber, you're not..."

"I don't know, Jay. I just... I should go now."

"Amber..."

"I love you, Jay. I love you and I care more about you than any of those other girls. You aren't in love yet Jay, but when you are, and the girl doesn't love you, you'll understand, Jay. You'll understand then."

But I do love her. I do. I just don't know how to tell her... I thought she knew. I thought she could tell. I love her. And now I lost her.

(...)

I just thought since you're so much into payback...

Oh yes, thank you so much for that. Reliving that almost drowning experience

was so refreshing...

Only evening up the scores.

Oh yeah, did you just almost die too? - I ask, freezing cold and dripping water, a little puddle forming under my feet.

Please, don't be so over-dramatic...

Well, excuse me, my lord. Shall I not survive the next time so you can have a clean slate?

You're doing it again - he says, furrowing his eyebrows in consternation.

What, protesting against cruelty...?

No, over thinking - he sighs, as if annoyed that I don't understand the rules of his stupid game.

Ok, enlighten me... - I cross my arms, so he doesn't see my hands start to shiver from the cold.

Oh, it's quite simple actually darling. I kissed you, which was obviously your fault, you kissed me back... and I'm guessing it was neither for revenge or a thank you for the fact that I saved your life... again.

And this? - I asked, pointing to myself before he could start to enjoy the sound of his voice even more.

Oh yes, that... - he smiles in a dark way, that gets me shivering again, this time it's not from the cold.

I had to show you how your recklessness can turn against you... you do not respect your life - he crosses his arms, mimicking mine and his smile widens.

What...?! You threw me into the water!

I thought it would be good for you to taste your own medicine - I stare at him for a moment too long, processing what he had just said and I just burst.

I knew it! I knew you wouldn't forgive me for that! All that rubbish about my recklessness and this was about your swollen pride and damaged overgrown ego... - I almost scream out, staring at his peaceful composure. He's not even bothered.

Oh, don't be silly love. My ego is at a perfect level. Besides it looked like you needed a bath - he crinkles his nose and smiles playfully - You're welcome...

I throw my hands in the air, exasperated and groan with growing fury. I'm just about to throw a bunch of invectives his way when I actually notice my surroundings. I look around and my mouth literally drops. I stare wide-eyed at the long river that floats out of the deep blue pool next to me... I look up at the high wall of the crater and listen to the water "happily" splashing around. Then I look back at the devil.

What, no more arguments? Honestly, I was just getting in the mood. You haven't even heard my best lines - he says, pretending to be a boxer and throwing his "punch lines" in the air.

What is this place...? - I asked amazed.

This little old thing? - He looks around, spreading his arms - Only my humble living quarters... I call it the garden. I think humans are familiar with the concept, hmm?

I don't even answer him, willing myself to finally move and inspect the place. I look at the rocks and notice the oversized plants sticking out. They look like gigantic fern plants. The view was amazing. Did I just end up in the dinosaur era? Cause it definitely looked prehistoric to me...

His sad brown eyes held a tear

His body shook, full of fear

The bully pushed him to the ground

No help, for him, could be found

The bully kicked him, called him names

Told him he was weak and lame

The boy curled into a ball

He thought about ending it all

Then the bully was just gone

But the boy was not alone

A gentle hand touched his arm

A voice told him he was safe from harm

He flinched at first, continued to cry

Then he looked up into bright blue eyes

No one had ever helped him before

He slowly got up from the floor

He asked, why did you help me?

No one stands up to that bully

The blue-eyed boy said with a grin

Stand up to bullies and they can’t win

Bullies are tough, if allowed

To pick on one, not a crowd

Hope replaced fear in the boy that day

A hope he prayed would always stay

A ray of hope, a new friend

A happy way for this day to end.