Don't Fall For Me

Pinky Swear

Tree branches rustling in the wind.

"Just give us your money and this will be over with!" exclaimed Drake.

Water flowing down the river.

"Stop resisting! Grab his bag!" he quickly ordered.

"No!" Justin shouted as he tried to pull his bag from the other kids causing it to fly up in the air and fall to the river.

Justin stared and couldn't help but tear up as he sees it flow down the river before looking angrily at Drake and the other kids. He clenched his fist but immediately stops as he realized it won't do anything, until...

"What are you guys think you're doing?!" exclaimed a girl as she flew in and landed a kick on Drake's back.

"It's Alicia! Run!" screamed the kids as they pick up Drake and ran away from the scene.

"Yeah you better run!" she shouted with a smirk on her face.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" she asked Justin but he was no longer there. Alicia was confused till she heard water splashing and quickly looked at the river where Justin was scurrying to find his bag. She felt sad seeing the boy.

"Hey! Come here." she told Justin as he fell because of the stream.

"The stream's too strong." she said as she picked him up.

"C'mon, let's take a walk." she added.

"But my bag" Justin uttered.

"I'll help you find it but first let's get some ice cream, my treat!" she answered.

Justin wiped his tears from his eyes and nodded and followed Alicia.

Coincidentally, the ice cream truck was passing by where Justin and Alicia where.

"Hector!" Alicia shouted.

”Well if it isn't Alicia! Will it be the usual?" asked the vendor.

"You know it! Rocky road on a waffle cone. " she answered. "What about you? " she then asked.

Justin softly answered, " Cookies and cream please. "

" Shy guy, are you? " Hector asked as he went in to get their orders.

" Here you go, one Rocky road and cookies and cream!" Hector said as he gave the ice cream to the two kids. "And let me guess? you ain't paying either. " Hector added.

" You know me so well! " Alicia said in laughter making Hector sigh.

" Well, I better get a moving now. " Hector said.

" Wait! " Alicia exclaimed.

" Could we hitch a ride to Adelaide Street? " she asked.

" Sure, hop on in, I'm supposed to drive by there anyway. " Hector answered.

The two kids hopped on in the passenger seat. Alicia took a glance at Justin eating his ice cream but hasn't changed his mood since earlier.

"I'm Alicia by the way, if it wasn't too obvious." she said jokingly trying to break the atmosphere.

"I'm Justin." he answered softly.

Alicia looked at Justin and still no hint of smile can be seen from his face. There was silence.

Hector coughed, "We're here." he then added.

The two hopped off the truck and said their thank yous as Hector drives away.

Once again, tears started welling up in Justin's eyes. Alicia panicked and gave her handkerchief to Justin trying to console him. Justin was shocked as Alicia gave him a hug.

"You know what's beautiful about life, Justin? It's that somehow, no matter what, things just fall into place." she uttered as she let go and looks at the river.

Justin followed her eyes and was in delight. For the first time that day, Alicia saw Justin's eye light up with happiness.

"My bag!" Justin exclaimed as he hurriedly went down to get it. "How did you know it would end up here" Justin asked.

"Well, let's just say I had my time playing paper boats by myself in this river." she answered jokingly.

"Thank you so much!" Justin said as once again tears were forming in his eyes.

"Hey it's okay now so stop with the waterworks." Alicia said. "I don't mean to be rude but what was important with the bag anyway?" she asked.

Justin pulled a piece of paper from his bag.

"This. This letter is important to me. This is the last letter my dad gave to me before he passed away." he answered.

"I'm sorry." Alicia uttered.

"No, it's okay. You've not only saved me from those bullies but you also helped me find my bag! Thanks so much!" Justin exclaimed gratefully.

"Don't mention it! Those jerks deserve to be put to place! But next time you need to stand up for yourself." Alicia said.

"But I don't know how. I'm not like you, I'm weak." he answered.

"No you're not." she sighed. "How about this then. From now on let's be friends and I'll be there for you when you need me." she added.

"You'd really do that?" he asked.

"Of course! Pinky swear." she answered.

"Pinky swear!" Justin said with a breath of relief.

"Oh and one more thing!"

"Whatever happens, don't fall for me." Alicia said.

Justin didn't really fully understand it but he just gave her a smile and nodded in agreement.