Roddy was hiding by the corner when he saw James and his crew near his homestead. A day ago, they had threatened him for money, since his parents are rich and James had taken his new Nike shoes.

Roddy’s parents were away on business, and since he was only seventeen, he was staying with their maid, Sophia. Because of this, he had no one to report James and his gang to for their behavior. Roddy felt helpless because he couldn’t fight those bullies.

Roddy finished writing his matric, passed, and is now attending a technical college, doing Mechanical Engineering. James, on the other hand, was probably poor and has an alcoholic father, who beat him up all the time over small disputes. He dropped out before he could finish his matric, so he survived by bullying and stealing.

Roddy stood by the corner looking out for himself when a slender, handsome boy passed him. He was tall and was dressed sophisticatedly. When he looked at James, he sensed that the young man was hiding from the bullies.

“Hey, you should fight like a man” the boy, whose name was Joe, shouted.

Roddy pulled him close so that James didn’t see him. Roddy whispered, “ssssssh.”

“Who are they? Do you owe them money?” Joe asked, in a low voice.

“They are dangerous,” Roddy whispered, watching them.

“What did you do to them?” Joe asked.

Roddy covered Joe’s mouth because he kept talking: Roddy didn’t want James to hear them. Joe just breathed harshly, since Roddy covered his mouth. Roddy removed his hands when he felt a restless desire.

James and his gang were bored when they didn’t see Roddy coming. They checked both sides but there was no sign of him.

“Where is this boy?” James hissed.

“There is no sign of him,” Rasta answered.

“I will punish him for not giving me money,” James shouted.

“Let’s go,” Rasta said.

“He will get a punishment, we just have to look out for him,” James hit his fist on his hand.

Roddy and Joe observed as they left. When the bullies were a meter away, Roddy walked to the gate. He used a remote to open the gate, and Joe followed him inside.

“You ought to tell me who those guys are,” Joe said.

“I will,” Roddy answered ashamedly.

Roddy used the remote to close the gate, and they walked into the house, where Sophia was in the kitchen cooking dinner. Roddy escorted Joe to the flamboyant couches, and Joe sat down while Roddy went to the kitchen to get some refreshing drinks. Joe couldn’t keep his eyes off the room: he scanned it and could see that Roddy was rich: so, why was he afraid of those bullies? He could probably buy a bodyguard and then no one would ever bully him again.

Roddy entered with a tray of fruit juice and scones, and then served them to Joe.

“I am Roddy” Roddy said, sipping his juice.

“I am Joe” Joe said, shyly.

“Nice meeting you, I have no friends around and that’s the reason I hide from those guys,” Roddy said, embarrassed.

“I want to know what you owe them,” Joe interrupted.

Roddy told Joe everything about why they always followed him and made demands as if he owed them something. Joe was a good listener but he kept asking questions until he was satisfied with Roddy’s response.

After talking about their lives, Joe decided to make Roddy his friend and promised find a way to make the bullies back off of Roddy.

They both exchanged their numbers, so they could communicate. Joe left after having dinner with his new friend and Sophia.

Tell us: What do you think of Joe’s and Roddy’s new friendship? Will they be able to get rid of the bullies?