Absolutely! Here's your scene rewritten in polished novel format, maint
As Cherry struggled to get back on her feet, her eyes caught a figure moving toward her. A tall boy with striking features and deep, expressive eyes reached out his hand.
"Here," he said simply.
Cherry looked up, startled, but took his hand. The moment their palms touched, a strange sense of safety washed over her. He helped her to her feet.
Before she could say anything, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Well, well, Jim... afraid of me already?" Jackson sneered as he shoved the boy—Jim—roughly.
Jim stumbled back slightly but instinctively wrapped his arms around Cherry, shielding her and keeping her upright.
"Get out of here," he murmured to her, his voice low and protective. His eyes didn't leave Jackson. "It's dangerous for you here, little girl."
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Cherry's Thoughts
Little girl?
Why does everyone keep saying that to me? I'm not a little girl—I'm a mature college student! Do I really look that young?!
---
"Excuse me, mister," Cherry said, pouting with mild annoyance, "but I'm not a little girl."
Jim blinked at her, caught off guard. "That's... not what I meant," he said. "Just go. This is between us guys."
Cherry crossed her arms. "And what's that supposed to mean? That girls can't fight?"
A murmur ran through the crowd. A girl from the back called out, "Yeah! We're not weak!"
Another voice chimed in, "What kind of backward thinking is that?"
Jim took a step back, raising both hands. "Calm down—listen, that's not what I meant at all!"
But the crowd wasn't listening.
"Jim, just because girls don't approach you doesn't mean you can insult all of us!" one girl snapped.
Cherry tilted her head, surprised. "No one approaches him?" she echoed under her breath, eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"Hmph," Jackson scoffed. "Told you all—he's a jerk."
Before Jim could defend himself, things took a turn for the worse. Pieces of paper, wrappers, and bits of trash started flying from the crowd—aimed at him.
"Hey! Stop it!" Cherry shouted, but it was no use.
Jim turned quickly and wrapped himself around Cherry, shielding her from the barrage.
---
Cherry's Thoughts
He's the only one who protected me. I... I misjudged him, didn't I? And now this is happening because of me…
---
"What on earth is going on here?!" a deep voice boomed across the grounds.
The crowd stilled. Principal Smith had arrived, his piercing gaze scanning the chaos.
As if on cue, the students scattered like dust in the wind.
Jim and Cherry were still on the ground, tangled from the fall.
"Ahem!" the principal said, clearing his throat loudly.
"I think... everyone's gone," Cherry whispered to Jim.
Realizing the situation, Jim stood up so fast he accidentally knocked Cherry back down with his elbow.
"Jim!" Principal Smith barked. "Fighting again?! What is wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I—" Jim began.
"I don't want to hear your lame excuses!" the principal snapped, cutting him off.
Cherry stood quickly, brushing herself off. "Sir, it's not his fault. Another boy started the fight. Jim was just—"
"And who are you?" the principal demanded, turning to her with narrowed eyes.
"I'm Cherry Walter, sir. First year, Literature Department."
"Then go to your department. Don't hang around with boys!" he snapped.
"Yes, sir," Cherry said softly, before hurrying away down the corridor.
"And you—Mr. Jim. What's your problem, huh?!" the principal roared behind her.
Cherry paused at the end of the hall, turned back, and clasped both ears in a silent gesture of apology to Jim. She mouthed, I'm sorry.
Jim met her gaze—but said nothing. He looked away, his face unreadable.
---
Later, in the corridor
Cherry walked alone, her shoes tapping softly against the polished floor.
"Is he really mad at me?" she murmured. "This is terrible. It's only my first day and I've already ruined someone's. All because I jumped in without thinking…"
She stopped, an idea lighting her face with hope.
"I know! I'll write him an apology letter. A real one. And I'll give it to him after school. That should help fix things!"
With new determination, Cherry smiled and skipped ahead, her mind already racing with the right words to say.
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To Be Continued
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