Marcus: "She deserved respect!"
Marcus’s voice exploded across the street like thunder[cite: 1]. Bystanders on the opposite side of the sidewalk turned to look, some pulling out their phones to record[cite: 1]. Jason took a involuntary step backward, his shoulder bumping into the brick wall of the storefront.
Jason: "Okay, okay! Chill out! You don't have to scream at me!"
Marcus: "I will scream as loud as I want until it gets through your thick skull! Look at her! Look at what you did!"
Marcus pointed a large, calloused finger directly at Jason’s trembling chest[cite: 1]. The teenager’s former confidence completely evaporated under the man’s intense, protective glare[cite: 1].
Marcus: "Apologize to her right now!"
Jason: "I... I'm... I'm sorry..."
Marcus: "Not to me! Look at her! Walk over there, look her in the face, and say it like you mean it!"
Jason swallowed hard, his cheeks flushing bright red with embarrassment. He looked around at the growing circle of onlookers. Nobody was standing up for him. Older men in suits were glaring at him, and shop owners had stepped outside their doors to watch.
Jason's Friend: "Dude... just do it. He's huge."
Jason dragged his feet as he took four hesitant steps back toward Lily. Lily stood straight, relying on her crutches for support, her small fingers still clutching her plush rabbit[cite: 1].
Jason: "I'm sorry I kicked your crutch... I didn't mean to hurt you."
Marcus: "And?"
Jason: "And... and I won't do it again."
Lily: "Why did you do it in the first place? I was just trying to cross the street."
Jason stared down at his sneakers, completely unable to meet the young girl's clear blue eyes. His hands trembled inside the front pocket of his grey hoodie[cite: 1].
Jason: "I was being stupid... I was trying to make my friends laugh."
Marcus: "Making fun of someone else's pain doesn't make you funny, kid. It makes you a coward."
Jason: "Can I go now? Please?"
Marcus: "Pick up her other crutch first. The one that rolled into the gutter."
Jason quickly scrambled toward the curb, bending over to retrieve the metallic crutch that had landed near a storm drain. He wiped the dirt off the rubber grip with his sleeve and handed it back to Lily, keeping his eyes fixed squarely on the pavement.
Jason: "Here."
Lily: "Thank you."
Marcus: "Now get out of here. And if I ever see you picking on anyone in this neighborhood again, your father's lawyers won't be able to save your reputation."
Jason didn't say another word. He turned on his heel and jogged down the sidewalk, his head bowed low in pure humiliation as his friends hurried to catch up with him[cite: 1].