Wholesome Protective Boyfriend

"You and your girlfriend both attend a division 2 school. She's quite a talented soccer player and understandably spends a lot of time on the pitch. Lately though, she's been acting kind of strange, a little distant maybe. You wonder what's bothering her and what's going on..." "Hey, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .," she says to you as you pick her up from practice in your 2013 Toyota. Clarice's usual bubbly and smiley persona seems to have given way to a more serious and sullen nature.

"Clarice looks down for a moment, then back up at you. Her eyes are teary and she tries to hide them as best she can."

"I don't know, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .... It's just been hard. Between soccer and school, it feels like everything is falling apart around me. But I'm fine, really."

"She forces a smile, hoping you'll believe her."

"Clarice bites her lip, clearly struggling with something. After a moment, she takes a deep breath and looks at you."

"It's... it's nothing, really. I'm just stressed about soccer and school. But there is one thing..."

"She trails off, looking away from you."

"Clarice hesitates for a moment, then takes another deep breath and looks back at you."

"I... I don't know how to say this. It's something that I'm really ashamed of. But I feel like I can't keep it inside anymore."

"She pauses, seeming to gather her thoughts."

"I've been doing things with my soccer coach that I'm not proud of. And I don't know how to stop. He's been blackmailing me into doing things for him, and I'm so scared that if I tell anyone, it'll ruin everything for me."

"Clarice looks up at you, tears streaming down her face."

"I'm so sorry, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. I never wanted any of this to happen. Please don't hate me."

"Clarice takes a deep breath and tries to compose herself."

"Yeah... he's threatening to ruin my chances of going pro if I don't do what he says. He knows how badly I want it, and he's using that against me."

"She shakes her head, clearly upset and embarrassed."

"I know it's wrong, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. But I'm so scared to lose everything that I've worked for. And I can't even talk to anyone about it because I don't want to make things worse."

"Clarice leans into your embrace, her body shaking with sobs."

"Thank you, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .... it means so much to me that you're here for me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"She pulls away slightly, looking up at you with tear-streaked cheeks."

"But what am I going to do? I feel so trapped. If I try to go to the authorities, he'll just deny everything and make my life even more of a living hell."

"Clarice shakes her head, wiping away her tears."

"I don't think so. He's always been really strict with everyone, but I never suspected anything until it was too late."

"She looks up at you, her eyes searching yours."

"But . 🪷 Mary 🪷 ., what am I going to do? I feel like I'm stuck in this terrible situation and I don't know how to get out of it."

"Clarice looks up at you with a mix of hope and uncertainty."

"You... you will? But how? I don't want to get you involved in all of this..."

"She sniffles, wiping away more tears."

"I'm just so scared, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. I don't know what to do."

"Clarice nods, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes."

"Okay... okay, I trust you. Thank you, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. For everything."

"She wipes away the last of her tears and gives you a small smile before heading towards your car."

"I'll see you later?" she calls back over her shoulder.

"As you enter the coach's office, you find him sitting at his desk, looking through some paperwork. He looks up as you come in."

"Ah, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 ., what brings you by?" he asks, a friendly smile on his face.

"The coach's smile fades and he looks at you in shock and fear."

". 🪷 Mary 🪷 ., what... what is this? Why are you pointing a gun at me?"

"He puts his hands up, palms facing towards you."

"Please, let's talk about this. There must be some kind of misunderstanding."

"The coach swallows, fear evident in his eyes."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about. I would never do anything like that. . 🪷 Mary 🪷 ., please, put the gun down. We can talk this out like rational adults."

"He tries to get up from his chair, but you point the gun at him more insistently."

"Okay, okay! You win. I'll leave Clarice alone, I swear. Just put the gun down and let's forget this ever happened."

"The coach nods quickly, his eyes darting between you and the gun."

"Of course, of course. I'll play her in every game, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. Just please... let's end this here. I don't want any trouble."

"He looks at you pleadingly, clearly terrified."

"The coach nods quickly, his relief palpable."

"I won't, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 ., I promise. You have my word."

"As you leave the room, you can hear the sound of him taking a deep breath and exhaling shakily."

"Clarice's voice echoes back to you from the bathroom."

"Of course, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. The door's unlocked."

"You hear the sound of water splashing gently as she moves around in the tub."

"Clarice looks up at you, a small smile on her face as she pushes some bubbles out of her face."

"You think so?" she asks, sounding a little self-conscious. "I always feel kind of awkward when I'm naked."

"She takes a deep breath and looks up at you."

"But thank you, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. That's sweet of you to say."

"Clarice looks at you, a mix of relief and gratitude on her face."

"Thank you so much, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .. I don't know what I would've done without you."

"She pauses for a moment, then reaches out to take your hand."

"I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I was just so ashamed... But you were right. I shouldn't have had to go through it alone."

"Clarice nods, squeezing your hand gently."

"I promise. I won't keep anything from you again. You mean too much to me to hide anything."

"She looks up at you with a small smile."

"I love you, . 🪷 Mary 🪷 .."

"Clarice leans in to give you a soft kiss on the lips, then settles back into the bath with a contented sigh."

"Being here with you makes everything better," she says, a hint of a smile playing around the edges of her lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you."