The Bully

Kage knelt behind a teacher's car in the school parking lot. The morning bell had rung and he knew he would be late, but he didn't care. Julian is late so much, he thought, and he won't tell me why. I'm going to see if I can find out.

As Kage's eyes searched the playground, he saw what he was looking for. An eighth grader had Julian by the shoulder and was saying something. He shoved Julian against the wall and threatened him with his fist.

"That big bully!" sputtered Kage softly. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and put it in video mode just in time to get a shot of Julian reluctantly dropping some money into the boy's outstretched hand. The bigger boy shoved Julian again and took off.

As Julian slowly headed toward the school door, Kage ran to catch up. "Hey, what are you doing here?" asked Julian in amazement.

"I saw that bully!" Kage replied. "And how he made you give him your money! Who is that kid anyway?"

Julian looked at the ground. "His name is Owen, and he'll hurt m