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"You let him go first, Courtland," a soft voice replied.

Once free of the foo dog's claws, Larry scrambled away to what he hoped was a safe distance.

The minotaur from the hallway held Courtland's wrist in what must have been a painful angle, given how the foo dog wasn't fighting back.

"Are you all right, Larry?" The minotaur looked down at Courtland, who was starting to grimace in pain.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay."

"Did he hit you?"

Larry shook his head, and the minotaur nodded before releasing Courtland's wrist.

"I don't want to see you near Larry again, Courtland," the minotaur said, stepping between him and the gryphon. "Do you understand me?"

Courtland massaged his wrist, then glared up at him. "Why're you butting in on my business, Playdoh?"

"Because it's my business to keep Larry safe from bullies like you." He pointed at the door, giving Larry a moment of deja vu. "Get out of here. Now."

Courtland slowly stood up, glared at Larry and "Playdoh", and for a moment Larry feared the foo dog was going to throw a punch at his new found protector, even though the minotaur was bigger. Instead he left the bathroom, leaving Larry and the minotaur by themselves.

"Osaze told me about your problems with Courtland," the minotaur said. Now that the excitement was over, Larry noticed how the minotaur filled out the blue polo shirt he was wearing, not to mention the upper part of his black slacks. His mane was styled in two short braids kept together with a gold ring at the ends. They didn't quite touch his broad shoulders, but it was close. As he approached Larry, his hooves were muffled by the rubber pads on the bottom. "My name's Plato," he said, offering a hand.

Larry took his hand. "Thanks for saving my furry butt from a beating."

Plato pulled Larry to his paws. "I don't like bullies, so it's my pleasure," he said, his long tail swinging lazily behind him. A red braided band close to his tail tuft glinted in the light.

"How do you know Osaze?"

"From playing basketball. I just started. Keeps me in shape after football season."

Larry remembered Courtland was on the football team. "Oh." A sudden feeling of dread kept him from saying anything else.

Plato smiled. "I know what you're thinking. I might catch some heat from Courtland's friends on the football team. That is, if he had any friends."

"He doesn't have any?"

Plato shook his head. "Nope. Everyone pretty much hates him."

"That's...that's really sad."

Plato nodded. "We have to get to class. I don't know about you, but if I flunk, I don't graduate." He clapped a hand on Larry's shoulder. "We'll talk after class. I'll meet you at your locker."

Larry heart was seized by sudden fear. "Uhm, I really don't have much money."

"That's okay, I was thinking of other ways you can pay me. We'll talk later."

As Larry followed Plato out of the bathroom, he wondered exactly what kind of payment the minotaur wanted, and could he afford to pay it?