(Clint's POV)

From the corner of his eye, Clint saw her. He looked up just as Taylor passed and walked behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to watch her.

She was a mystery to him.

They'd attended the same school since middle school. She seemed average, but something had happened over the summer. When she came back to school, she wasn't the same person. Where everyone cared about how they were seen, she didn't.

They had never talked, never acknowledged each other but part of Clint wanted to ask her if she were okay. But he didn't know how.

Taylor stopped before Elena and Dominic, a football jock that Clint knew only by sight. They'd never crossed paths and Clint figured they never would. Not wanting to get caught staring, Clint focused back on his locker and exchanging notebooks. Even still, he heard the conversation that took place.

He fought against a laugh at Taylor's dismissal of Elena, a girl who never understood the word 'no'. With a huff, Elena stormed away, though Clint caught the flush of embarrassment on her cheeks.

"I want you to teach me how to fight," Taylor said to Dominic.

Clint raised his head at this. He hadn't pegged Dominic as someone able to fight.

"Is that so," Dominic said.

Clint frowned at the dismissive response, there was no need to be mocking to someone who was asking for help.

"Why do you think I can teach you?" Dominic asked.

"Everyone knows you've taken classes or whatever to help improve your response time on the field. It's the reason other guys have done it as well."

At least that answered that question. Clint swapped his notebooks and tucked them into his backpack, knowing he needed to stop eavesdropping.

"Ah and since I'm the best you came to me. Why not just take a cute little self-defense class at the women's gym?"

"I don't have time to waste on others not understanding the lessons. I need private and I need to learn fast."

Clint paused, there was a note in Taylor's voice that went beyond simple want, it was a need.

"Look," Dominic said. "I don't have time to teach you some moves so you can beat up your ex-boyfriend or whatever. Find someone else to bother with your problem."

Dominic walked away, quickly surrounded by his friends. Clint balled his fists and glared at the back of Dominic's head. What an a-hole. How could he carelessly refuse to help a girl who needed help? Clint wanted to shove him for being so heartless.

Fighting down the urge, he looked to Taylor and he forgot all about Dominic. She stood scowling at the lockers, looking weary. Clint hesitated. Tori made fun of him for not taking on female trainees, but the truth was he felt uncertain about it. In training he constantly had to correct posture and positioning, he didn't know how it would be to do that with a girl. But seeing how worn out Taylor appeared, he knew he had to try.

He crossed to her and rested a hand gently on her arm to get her attention. She spun around tense and Clint took a step back, not wanting to scare her. It was then he noticed the bruise on her face. He knew a right hook when he saw it. Something flared in his stomach, how could Dominic refuse to help when he saw the evidence she needed it? He hated the guy. Clint shoved the thought away.

"Hey," he said. "I'm Clint. We have Calculus together."

Taylor blinked.

"Okay, hi Clint."

At the lack of recognition, Clint almost added the fact that they'd gone to Sunday school together but didn't think that would help. Instead, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, suddenly unsure of himself.

"I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Dominic," he said. "This might sound odd but I could teach you to fight. I've been learning martial arts since I was little. My family owns a gym, I can teach you there."

Taylor studied him then and Clint fought the urge to fidget under her gaze.

"What's in it for you?" she asked, cocking her head.

He shrugged, embarrassed to admit that he'd wanted to say hi to her for a long time. "It sounded like you could use the help, that's all." He glanced at her bruise, his gut twisting at the thought of someone hurting her. "Also I have four older sisters and I figured any girl who wants to be able to protect herself should be able to."

"And that's just it? You'll train me because I simply need help."

It was that simple, he saw the difference it made in his sisters to know they could handle themselves, the confidence it gave them. He knew that kind of confidence kept most attackers away. Psychologically attackers avoided confident women, they were more likely to fight back.

But since that felt like too much to share he offered another explanation.

He rubbed the back of his neck, not meeting Taylor's gaze. "One of my sisters might have also pointed out that I have a lack of female trainees and mocked me for being scared to train a girl."

Taylor nodded. "Well, thanks."

"If you want, we can start after school?"

"Sure."

The swiftness of her answer told Clint this was something she truly needed. The bell rang, reminding them where they were and where they should be. With a nod, Clint walked off. He glanced back once and saw Taylor take a deep breath.

She looked like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. He hoped that his help might lift a little bit of that weight.

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Hey supers!

So what did you think? 🦸🏾‍♀️🦸🏿‍♂️🦹🏼‍♀️

I think someone suggested this and so I decide to write. Who knew Clint had a heart of gold...oh wait we all did! What a cutie!

Yeah, this isn't going to be a long author's note because...

A ROYAL'S TALE IS POSTED!!!

That's right while you wait for the sequel you can go read a fun action packed adventure story from 4 different POVs! The first three chapters are up so go dive in!

I'm excited about it and I hope you'll join me!

Vote, comment, follow because you stand for me never leaving you hanging.