Katalina and Collen were talking as Katalina opened he locker to get her books. "Hello Ladies," a familiar voice said smoothly. The girls turned around and saw Charlie, all 6'3 of him. He was tanner than ever since his trip back from Australia and under his shirt was a six pack that any guy would kill for. With his long brown hair flipped to the side and his smile brighter than ever, all he could do was grin. "Charlie!" Colleen and Katalina both shrieked. They playfully fought over who got their hug from Charlie first. "Ladies! Ladies! There's enough of me to go around," he said with a wink. Katalina won the fight and got her hug first. "Hmpt!" Colleen grumbled as she watched Charlie and Katalina's hug linger. "Oh shutup and get over here," Charlie teased as he let go of Katalina and grabbed Colleen. The three of them laughed it up and talked for a good half hour at Katalina's locker. For some reason, they all got there way earlier than school started. They liked the social atmosphere of the morning. As Charlie was in the middle of telling his adventures of Australia, Sean, Katalina's boyfriend, walked with all the swagger he's got towards them. He just stared down Charlie and looked at Katalina with disgust in his eyes. "What did I tell you about hanging out with this scumbag? I don't like it. I don't like you talking with any guys other than me!" His voice grew louder and louder with rage with every sentence, "You aren't allowed to hang out with him. Ever! Do you understand me?" He didn't wait for an answer and roughly grabbed her by the wrist. "We're leaving." Katalina shot a helpless look to Colleen and Charlie. "Dude, they're just friends. Leave it alone," Colleen tried to explain to Sean. "Did I ask you, pipsqueak? Yeah, didn't think so," Sean retaliated. "Don't talk to her like that, Sean. These are my friends. You can't tell me who I can and can't talk to." She gave him a pleading look and tried to wiggle her arm out of his grasp. He just gripped tighter and Katalina winced in pain. "Let go of her man," Charlie warned Sean as he put his hand on Sean's shoulder. Sean shrugged the hand off. "Don't even touch me!" He was extremely pissed off and Katalina knew where this was going. She was scared and didn't want it to end like last time, but last time it had been just the two of them fighting about Charlie. "Fine, have it your way Bitch. I'll be back for you." With that, Sean stormed off in the opposite direction. His flying fist made contact with a locker. Cussing and shaking his hand, Sean disappeared into the crowd.
"Are you okay?" Colleen asked Katalina as soon as Sean was out of hearing range. "Yeah, I'm okay I guess." Colleen's phone buzzed and she took it out of her pocket. "Oh, I got to go. Ryan just texted me to meet him outside. I don't know what he wants yet, but he made it seem important. I got to go. I'm sorry." She gave Katalina a sympathetic smile. "Charlie, you stay with her." "I had planned to do just that anyway," Charlie said. "Go meet up with Ry. I'll hold down the fort here." Colleen then raced out tobthe front of the school. "So are you sure you're okay, Kat?" "Yeah, I'll be fine. My wrist is just a little sore." "Kat, you know I love you so tell me, does he hurt you?" Charlie's face had gone from smiley to dead serious in a matter of seconds. His face looked so concerned and so soft. Katalina looked down. "No," she said no louder than a whisper. "He's never hits you? Or does anything like that?" He got the same response. "Are you sure?" Katalina just nodded her head. "Kat, I'm here for you. So I'm going to ask again. Are you sure?" Once again, he was met with a silent nod. Charlie sighed. "Okay, Kiddo. I think you need a hug." He hugged her tightly and didn't want to let go. He lifted a little bit of her shirt near her shoulder. On her collarbone on her left side was a medium sized bruise. Charlie looked at it, hugged her tighter, and whispered in her ear, "I don't believe you."