“What?” Ann asks looking at his serious face. She noticed his grumpy behaviour all evening as she kept wondering what had caused it.

“I said I don’t want any counselling. If I said anything that made you think that I wanted counselling, please forget it.” Benjamin says as he orders and drinks another shot.

“I knew it…” Ann says. “You don’t remember what we talked about that night do you?”

“I am not some drunk who forgets stuff when he drinks.” Benjamin says defensively.

“It’s common to forget stuff when you drink.” Ann replies. “Alcohol affects how nerves communicating with the hippocampus part of the brain causing people to forget.” Benjamin sniggers at these words. “You know what else alcohol does, it makes people tell the truth.”

“What?” Benjamin stares at her as she continues.

“All I am saying is with the conversation we had, I do think you meant it when you said you needed help.” Ann replies calmly.

“I would never say that!” Benjamin says firmly. “I am fine…”

“Look Ben, why not give counselling a try. I mean maybe subconsciously you do think that it won’t be a bad idea.” Ann says as she is aggressively interrupted by Benjamin.

“I am fine!” He says intimidating Ann causing her to take a step back bumping into some women standing behind her.

“I am sorry.” Ann says as she turns around.

“You should be, you spilled my drink.” The woman replies.

“It was an accident.” Ann replies.

“Maybe it was subconscious.” Benjamin replies rudely as Ann turns to look at him, the woman takes a drink and pours it on Ann’s head.

“Oops…” She says as she and her friends laugh. At that moment, Ann is reminded of high school and how badly she was bullied. Her feelings take over and she feels humiliation, pain and anxiety once again. Despite the loud music, all she can hear are the laughs of the women echoing in her head. As she stands there motionless she feels someone putting a coat around her. She looks up and sees Nicholas as he puts his arm around her firmly, standing strong.

“Is there a problem, ladies?” He asks firmly.

“Yes, she spilled my drink.” The woman replies rudely.

“That’s not what I saw.” Tom says holding his phone. The women immediately recognize Tom and smile. “I saw you throwing a drink at my friend.” Tom says as the women’s expression change to concern.

“No…I mean…” The woman tries to explain.

“Let’s end this here…” Tom says firmly. “Walk away…”

“We are huge fans.” The woman says as she tries to get close to him.

“Then I expect you to treat my friends with respect.” Tom asserts himself respectfully as the women look stunned. “Please leave…” Unable to say a thing the women leave silently and Tom looks at Ann who is trembling.

“I’ll take her out for some air.” Nicholas says as they leave and Tom turns to stare angrily at Benjamin who looks unbothered.

Nicholas takes Ann out to a park nearby and lets her sit on the swing. He lets her wear his coat and offers her his handkerchief as she wipes the drink off her face. She sits there trembling as he sits on the swing next to her. He looks at her patiently waiting for her to calm down.

“How do you do this?” She asks him after a few moments.

“Do what?” He asks.

“Comfort me without saying a word.” Ann says softly without making eye contact.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Nicholas says smiling as she looks at him. “I guess it’s because I have been what many might consider odd growing up. Many had tried to make me feel better by forcing certain things on me but all I really needed was time and a little space.” Ann smiles as he looks at her with such compassion. “You are a really amazing woman, you know that.”

“I know…” Ann says softly. “But that’s my problem… I will soon have a Ph.D. and doctor to my name. I have had enough guys ask me out to know I am pretty. But I….” She says clenching the swing. “I’m sorry… I know it’s hard to understand.” Nicholas then gets up and kneels in front of her.

“You don’t have to explain…” He says with comforting eyes. “Nor do I have to understand. Just let me be there…” As he says this someone approaches them.