*His POV*
My name is Francis. I'm 5'8" with a slender, muscular build β thanks to being in sports since a young age. I have black short wavy hair. And I met her eight years ago. She was the single most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. I never told her that though. As the years passed, we stopped talking but ran into each other at our local university. She was with a mutual friend and when that mutual friend asked us how we knew each other, she looked at me as for me to answer. I told our friend, "We used to love each other." The mutual friend was shocked but she gave me a knowing smile. See, she told me in 8th grade that I was the first person she has ever been in love with, despite never having the chance to date. We acted like it, though.
*Her POV*
He's like my guardian angel, always there to save me whether from outside attacks or from myself. I am forever indebted to him. We flirted a lot through the years but nothing happened. We are 21 now. My life not near the way I thought it would be. I'm in an addictively abusive relationship. I'm no longer attending college courses. I don't really have life goals anymore.
*His POV*
Tonight's homework was piled high and so stressful. After getting through half of it, I decided it was time for a break. I got dressed and walked to a nearby bar. I didn't go to drink, just to be surrounded in a feel-good atmosphere and stayed in a corner. After almost an hour of watching baseball, I saw her enter the bar. She was still short, standing at 5'0" but her heels brought her to 5'4". She had medium length, straight black hair. She was wearing a white peplum top and dark blue denim shorts, all of which complemented her hour glass figure. She went straight to the bartender and with the way things went; I assumed she had a tab. After another half hour, two guys approached her and they started talking. I could tell she was already drunk and I knew these guys were not going to leave her alone. I stood up and walked to her.
I placed my hands at her sides and spoke low to her ear. "It's nice to see you again." She froze. I grabbed her hand. "Honey, I was wondering what was taking so long. I see you made some new acquaintances."
"Back off, bub. She's ours now," the one to her left said. He looked about 190 lbs and it's probable he was in a motorcycle gang. I growled lowly, something she taught me to scare people away. I started to walk off with her. We made our way to the parking lot, not with ease. She could hardly walk straight.
"Baby, give me your keys." She handed me her purse and smiled.
She slurred, "My angel, always watching out for me." I found her keys and unlocked her car from a distance. I carried her to the car and sat her in the passenger seat. "I can drive," another slurred statement. I shook my head and closed her door. We made our way to my apartment. It was a short drive but she managed to fall asleep. I had to carry her up three flights of stairs. I placed her on my bed, took off her heels and let her sleep. I turned on the small lamp near my desk to finish up my homework. I decided it was best to sleep on the couch. I walked over to her, bent down to kiss her forehead, and left the room.
*Her POV*
It was bright behind my closed eyes. My head was pounding. Fuck, I thought to myself. I tried to massage my temples. I sat up and opened my eyes. This bed was not my own. Just then, the door opened. I saw him, he smiled at me and had aspirin and a glass of water in his hands. "Francis," I said his name softly.
"Hey, I'll explain everything after you take this." So, I did and continued to drink the water. When I was finished, he placed the glass on his desk then sat on the bed so we faced each other. "You came to the bar. I saw you drink beyond what you should be. Two guys were going to take advantage of you so I drove your car here, to my home. Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes. You know, this is the first time I've been to your house." He laughed when I said that.
"Out of all of that, that's your response?" He shook his head.
I shrugged, "I get in trouble, you save me. What's new? I mean, sure, it's been years since we've seen each other but I guess this hasn't changed." He gave me a look of concern. "I've missed you. How are you?"
"I'm stressed. Finals are coming up. I'm living paycheck to paycheck. You're still getting in trouble."
I felt like a disappointment to him. I looked down at my hands. "I'm sorry if I'm such an inconvenience to you. I don't mean it. You don't always have to save me, you know? You could just let me learn the hard way."
He saw this took a negative turn. "Whoa, hey," he tipped my chin up, "I wasn't complaining. I don't want you to be in danger. I care too much for you."