Chapter 2
First thing the next morning, a knock sounded at my door.
I opened it to find Mrs. Lopez from the bakery, wringing her hands.
"Thank goodness you're home," she said, breathless. "It's my son, Javier."
I stepped aside so she could enter.
"What happened?"
"He got mixed up with a group of boys downtown," she said, tears filling her eyes. "They're demanding money. Saying if he doesn't pay by noon, they'll hurt him. Burn the shop down."
I grabbed my jacket off the hook.
"Show me where."
We drove to the old industrial district near the river.
Three boys leaned against a brick wall, smoking, looking bored and dangerous.
Javier stood before them, trembling.
The biggest boy shoved him hard.
"I said noon, kid. You got ten minutes."
I walked up and stood between them.
"Back off," I said.
The big boy laughed.
"Who are you? His girlfriend?"
"Leave him alone," I said. "And leave Mrs. Lopez's family alone."
He stepped closer, towering over me.
"Or what? You gonna fight all of us?"
"If I have to."
He swung at me.
I ducked. Grabbed his arm. Spun him around. And dropped him face-first into the dirt.
The other two jumped forward.
I sidestepped the first, tripped him, and planted him beside his leader.
The second hesitated.
"You're that girl," he said, eyes wide. "The one who took down the stalker."
"I'm the one telling you to walk away," I said. "Now."
They scrambled up, hauled their leader to his feet, and bolted.
Javier stared at me, mouth hanging open.
"How... how did you do that?"
"My dad taught me," I said. "Next time, stay away from people like that."
He nodded quickly.
"Yes, ma'am. I promise."
When we got back to the bakery, Mrs. Lopez hugged me tight.
"You have no idea what this means to us," she said. "You're not just strong. You're good."
May you like
Her words stuck with me all day.
Strong was easy. Good was the hard part.
