Beth

Beth wasn't a particularly friendly girl. She tended to despise people in general, especially loud idiots. Cats were more her style. So when Matt Wilder pretty much denounced cats as devil spawn, Beth made a firm promise to herself to never come near the guy except to give him dirty looks and sar-cat-sm.

One day Beth was walking home from school. As she passed the bus stop, she glanced up to make sure Matt was in his usual spot, not causing too much trouble. To her mild surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. She briefly wondered where he had gone, but didn't spend too much thought on it, as she had to get home quickly.

Now, Beth had to walk past some rather shady alleyways if she wanted to get home in a timely fashion. Ordinarily, she kept her head low and her eyes on the ground while passing these. That was the safest way to do it. But today, with the dull gray clouds pressing down overhead, Beth was feeling agitated. So she forgot to be safe when she heard a couple of nasty words from down one of the alleys. She looked toward the noise. And she almost stopped breathing at the sight.

It was three of the younger members of a local gang, and apparently, their intended victim had been a small, timid looking brunette girl. But the one baring the brunt of the angry words and blows was none other than the cat-hating, trouble-causing Matt Wilder.

Beth barely had time to be shocked before her stupid, sarcastic mouth opened up.

"Hey, dimwits!" she yelled. The three gang boys turned to her. Behind them, Matt seemed to relax a bit, despite his bloody lip and generally roughed-up bearing. "Pick on someone your own size." Beth realized as they came out that those words might not have been the best choice. One of the three took a step toward her. She blanched, but didn't retreat.

"What," began the one, cracking a grin, "like you?" Knuckles cracked. Beth brought her hands up defensively, instinctively.

"I'm nowhere near your size, dummy," she said. The final sarcasm seemed to push her aggressors over the edge. They lunged at her, and Beth briefly wondered what it was like to be hospitalized. Then she dropped low under a fist and sprang up, driving the ridge of her hand into the one guy's throat. He gagged and reeled backward, clutching at his neck.

But the other two were wise to her skill now. They wouldn't fall for the same tricks. While Beth was fully prepared to fight - and go down fighting - it seemed Matt didn't have the same idea.

As the two gang members came after her in unison, she ducked backwards and had just enough time to see Matt's strike come up from behind one, knocking him to the ground. Beth instantly went after the other one. Her chest hurt. Had she been hit? Maybe. But it didn't matter. She darted in close and threw her opponent. He struck the ground with a nasty thud.

All three gang members were either moaning or lying silent on the ground. Beth's breathing was ragged. She was suddenly, painfully aware of her throbbing head and aching muscles. Matt seemed to be no better, with his chest heaving and his eyes downcast.

After a moment, he looked up at her and cracked a smile. Beth considered snarling at him, but couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she weakly smiled back.

"You still hate me, don't you?" said Matt.

"Wha- no," huffed Beth, taken aback by his almost-hurt tone. She paused and crossed her arms. "I'm not going to bother hating you. I mean... I guess you're not all bad."

Matt chuckled, then coughed. "Well... I guess not."

And Beth almost blushed.

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So, what do you think of Miss B. here? :D

The artwork and characters are completely original and belong to me. Give credit if you post this elsewhere.

- Carina