He'd never had someone talk to him like this before and he was dead set on teaching the smaller boy a lesson.

“Doesn't matter who you are, you have got to give her stuff back.

What, you think you're some kind of thief, snatching things Like that?"

Jerrold retorted.

“Are you asking for trouble? How dare you call me a thief?"

The chubby boy knew that wasn't a nice thing to say, and it ticked him off.

The little girl, hearing a familiar voice amid her tears, looked up.

When she saw it was Jerrold, she worried he'd get hurt standing up for her. She whispered, “Thanks for helping, Jerrold. But I don't want the cotton candy anymore. Don't want you getting hurt because of me.

“Don't worry, Catherine. The more scared you are, the worse he'll be next time," Jerrold said, dead serious.

“But... Oh!"

Catherine Loftus' words were cut short as she watched the chubby boy ball his fists and swing a punch straight at Jerrold's face.

She shrieked in terror. “Jerrold, your eye is puffy!"

"I'm good," Jerrold insisted, his voice unwavering.

The chubby boy, eyeing Jerrold who was clearly thinner, taunted, “How dare you call me a thief? You see my strength now?"

Then, he tossed the cotton candy to the ground, stomping on it. “You want it? Go fetch it yourself. Ha! That's what you get for crossing me."

With a smug grin, he turned away.

"My candy." Catherine's heart sank as she gazed at the shattered sweet treat on the ground. It was the one her mom had just bought her, and she hadn't even taken a bite!

"You've crossed the line!" Jerrold shouted.

The chubby boy whirled back to Jerrold, looking like he'd won. "This is what happens... How dare you lay a hand on me!"

Before he could finish his taunt, he caught a fist to the mouth.

Enraged, he locked eyes with Jerrold, and then lunged at him.

Jerrold, not as beefy as the chubby boy, landed a sneaky punch.

The chubby boy let out a yell.

But Jerrold took a few punches to the eyes too.