Heidi
by M.C.
I discover that my new girlfriend has a split personality. One is nice, the other, well...


" Excuse me but is this locker available ? " I heard a soft female voice from
behind me ask.

I stared down at the pretty, freckled face of the blond girl standing next to
me in the school hall. " I believe it is," I replied," are you a new student ?
I don't recall seeing you before."

"Yes," she answered with a heart warming smile," in fact, this is my first
day. My parents and I just moved here from the Mid - West."

" Well, you can certainly used this locker ( it was right below mine ) if it's
a convenient location for you."

" Thank you," she smiled again. " My name is Heidi by the way; what's yours ?
"

" Mike."

She held out her hand to me; for a smallish girl she had a surprisingly strong
handshake. " Well Mike, it's certainly a pleasure meeting you. My father is a
business executive for a large corporation and we move around quite
frequently. The truth is, I can't recall ever spending more than a single year
in any one place. One thing you never get used to is being a new kid in
school. It's got to be the worst experience ever...and I've gone through it a
lot."

" In that case Heidi, I'd be more than happy to show you around this place."

" Why how sweet of you to offer Mike. Yes, I'd love that."

For the third time, she flashed me that beautiful smile of hers. There was
something about this girl; something special. I couldn't quite put my finger
on what it was, but I sensed it almost immediately.

Over the course of the next few days, Heidi and I became friends. After two
weeks, we were very good friends. She and I seemed to have a lot in common. We
were both 17 years old, listened to the same types of music, enjoyed playing
the same sports, had the same tastes in movies - and that's just to name a few
of our similar interests. It also didn't hurt that she lived only a few blocks
away from me. But what I liked about her the most was her kind, sweet
personality - it seemed as if she wouldn't hurt a fly. And then, about a week
later...

" Hey butthead ! " Mark hollered out as he approached us from down the hall.
Ignoring Heidi, he continued," you were supposed to have finished my homework
assignment by this morning. I can't very well turn it in in your handwriting
now can I ? Because of you, I'll probably receive a lower grade by handing it
in late...you ASSHOLE !

I was standing with Heidi near our lockers when the large, powerfully built
wrestling star said this. Mark is not one you want to get on the wrong side
of. Standing six feet three inches tall and weighing some 220 pounds, he can
be real bastard when he wants to be; which is quite often. For some reason he
has always taken a particular disliking to me; I never understood why. But
ever since we were in junior high school, he's gone out of his way to make my
life miserable. I was often forced to do his homework assignments. Failure to
do so sometimes resulted in a beating. Even the threat of one was enough to
get me to do his bidding. Complain ? Who to ? If I were to report him to the
school faculty, then either he - or one of his friends - would catch me off
the school grounds someday and beat the crap out of me. What's the point ? I
simply accepted that Mark was a fact of life that I would have to live with;
at least until we graduated high school.

" I - I'm sorry Mark. I'll get it done as soon as possible...I promise."

" You bet your ass you will, you Jerk ! And your tardiness will cost you $20.
I'll expect the cash first thing Monday morning.

As we watched him walk off, Heidi turned to me and asked," Mike, why do you
take this abuse from that arrogant bully ? "

Although it embarrassed me to admit this to her, I felt I owed Heidi an
explanation. So I proceeded to tell her about my relationship with Mark. Just
as I finished, the bell for our next class rang; we had to go. But, as we
entered the classroom, I couldn't help overhear my pretty new girlfriend say
to herself," I guess I'll have to do something about this Mark character." Her
comment stayed on my mind for the rest of the day. When our last class was
over, and we prepared to walk home, I asked Heidi what she meant by 'do
something'. She simply smiled that infectious smile of hers, took me by the
hand and said," don't worry about it honey; when the time is right you'll
understand." As fate would have it, I didn't have long to wait.

On our way home from school that Friday afternoon, Heidi casually asked me if
I knew where she might be able to find Mark. I mentioned that as far as I
know, he usually hangs out at the local gym which we would pass by on our way
home." Good," she said," let's stop by and see what he's up to, O.K. ? "
Although I was puzzled by her request, I agreed - it was virtually impossible
for me to refuse this beautiful girl anything and I was also curious to find
out what she had in mind. A few blocks later we came to a 7-11 store. " That's
the gym, right across the street," I said. Heidi gently grabbed me by the
hand," come sweetie pie, let's go inside and have a look."

We entered the gym and saw the usual assortment of weights, punching bags and
other devices one usually expects to see in an establishment of this sort. In
the center was a boxing ring. Off in one of the side rooms, punching a large
bag, was a tall, powerfully built boy...Mark. Against my better judgment,
Heidi dragged me over to where he was working out. " Hello there Mark," she
began," we never really had a chance to introduce ourselves at school earlier
today. My name is Heidi and this - whom I believe you already know - is my
boyfriend, Mike."

"I know damn well who he is," Mark barked out," what's your fucking point

" My point, dear boy, is that you've been bullying Mike here for quite some
time now - making him do your homework assignments, extorting money from him,
threatening him with physical violence and otherwise making his life rather
unpleasant. Well, from this moment on, you're not to do this anymore...is that
clear ? "

"And who the hell is going to stop me...you ? "

"Yes; as a matter of fact I am...one way or another."

Mark moved away from the punching bag and approached us. I suddenly became
very nervous but noticed that Heidi was remarkably calm. Mark's six foot-three
inch, 220 pound frame dwarfed the five foot-six inch 140 pound girl." Oh you
will, will you," he said in a very threatening tone of voice." And just how in
the HELL do you think you're going to go about doing that, girlie ? "

Heidi looked up at him. " I was hoping you'd say something like that Mark.
Let's go over to the boxing ring, shall we ? " As the three of us made our way
to the center of the gym, I tugged at her arm." Heidi, this guy is one bad ass
mother fucker and most likely the toughest boy in our school. You don't know
what you're getting yourself in to."

With a calmness that amazed me, she playfully tweaked my nose and smiled," Oh
don't worry honey, everything will be O.K....trust me. This guy has been a
pain in the ass to you for years now; it's about time someone put a stop to
this." She kissed me on the cheek and climbed into the ring. " You just relax
now sweetness and enjoy the show."

Watching my beautiful girlfriend as she entered the boxing ring, I couldn't
help but notice a transformation taking place in her. Up until now, she had
always seemed so nice, so kind, so unassuming. Now, as she prepared to square
off against Mark, her personality began to change dramatically. Her face -
always so sweet looking - now appeared hard and stern; her voice - always so
soft - now had a rough, biting edge to it. It was hard to believe that this
was the same girl that I was walking home from school with only a few short
minutes before." O.K. YOU BASTARD !," she snarled up at Mark," for making my
boyfriend's life miserable all these years, I'm now going to give you the
beating of your life. You'll be begging for mercy before I'm through with
you.You've bullied him for the last time."

The two of them met in the center of the ring and, almost immediately, Heidi
began to land hard, solid blows against her opponent. The speed with which her
small - but surprisingly strong - fists flew made it difficult for Mark to
block them all. Also, her accurate punches seemed to have power far beyond
what one would expect from a 140 pound girl. Mark's punches were usually way
off target. Amazingly, even when he did manage to land a blow, Heidi either
didn't seem to feel it or just shrugged it off and continued to hammer away at
him. It wasn't long before she had the much larger boy fighting on the
defensive. A crowd gathered around the boxing ring and began to cheer...for
Heidi. It seems I wasn't the only one he was abusing.

After about two minutes, Heidi had forced Mark back up against the ropes.
"You've had this coming to you for a long time now," she said as she sank her
right fist deep into his stomach. "I can't tell you how much I'm going to
enjoy beating you to a pulp you rotten son of a bitch ! " Watching Heidi
batter Mark around the ring - and the joy she seemed to be taking in doing so
- I began to feel very uncomfortable. My shy little girlfriend had suddenly
turned into savage, brutal fighting machine that not even the toughest boy in
our school was a match for her. She seemed scary...very scary. Heidi connected
with a powerful right cross to Mark's jaw which sent him on his back. " Get on
your feet you wimp !" she demanded," I'm not through with you yet !" As he
struggled to get up, Heidi walked over to me and - in the nice, soft voice of
the Heidi I knew - said," honey bunny, will you be a dear and go across the
street to the 7-11. Beating up this *friend* of yours is making me rather
thirsty and I could sure use a bottle of mineral water."

" S-sure Heidi, wha-whatever you say. I'll be right back."

" That's a good boy," she winked.

I ran across the street as fast as I could. Purchased the water bottle and
raced back. When I returned, Heidi had Mark pinned back against the ropes
again and was pummeling him with her fists. He seemed completely defenseless
against her now. When she saw me she winked, landed a hard uppercut to Mark's
jaw - flooring him again - and calmly walked over to where I stood. " Thanks
sweetie pie," she said as she took the bottle of water from me. Heidi drank
about half of it and handed it back to me. Then, leaning over the ropes, she
kissed me on the forehead. By now Mark had managed to get back on his feet. "
Sorry snuggums, business before pleasure." She playfully tweaked my nose again
before turning around to deal with Mark. "All right you bastard, it's time to
continue your ass kicking ! "

As she marched across the ring with an angry look on her face, Mark - fear
clearly showing on his - began to back up...he even started to plead with her.
" Please don't hit me anymore. I'm sorry. I won't bother Mike again, I
promise."

"You're damn right you won't you chicken shit !," Heidi growled as she stalked
him," because I'm going pound you so hard now that you'll never even think
about bullying anyone again...ever ! " She backed Mark into a corner and began
to batter the helpless boy at will. She was literally using him for a punching
bag and he was powerless to do anything about it." Please, please stop hitting
me!," he begged. Ignoring his pleas, Heidi continued her destruction of Mark
while the crowd and I looked on in awe.

"You're just like all the other bullies I've dealt with Mark. You act so tough
against the weaker kids, but when someone fights back, you cry for your
mommy," ( well, she was partially correct about this; he did begin to cry ).
Mark was bleeding from his nose and mouth, his jaw was swollen and he would
soon have two black eyes - not to mention about a dozen welts and bruises over
other parts of his body. Heidi was indeed giving him the beating of his life,
and - in a sadistic sort of way - she seemed to be relishing every moment of
it.

" Heidi," I said as I made my way over to where she was pounding him," I think
he's had enough."

Holding the battered and crying boy up by the hair, Heidi looked at me and
asked," do you really think so honey ? I mean, Mark's been tormenting you for
years. Are you sure you don't want to see me punish him some more...just for
good measure ? "

I looked at the once feared bully - now reduced to a pathetic crybaby - and
the irony of the situation wasn't lost on me. For years he had indeed been
tormenting me. How often I longed to see him in this state; totally beaten and
humiliated. But the irony was that it was me who held his fate in my hands.
One word from me and Heidi would continue to beat him mercilessly. But looking
at him now, squirming helplessly in the clutches of my mighty girlfriend, I
could only feel pity for him; not vengence."You've already broken him Heidi;
there's no need to continue. Please...let him go."

The stern, hard look on her face melted away and her beautiful smile returned.
Almost magically the *old* Heidi - the one I fell for - was back." Very well
then sweetie pie, if that's what you want." She let go of Mark's hair and the
sobbing boy slumped to the canvass. All the people watching began to cheer.
Heidi climbed out of the boxing ring, put her arms around me and gave me a
long, passionate kiss. After our embrace she looked at me and giggled," well,
I sure enjoyed that. It's been quite awhile since I beat up a bully; I forgot
just how much fun it can be, tee, hee, hee. I don't think Mark will be
bothering you again sweetness. If he, or any of his friends ever do though,
you be sure and tell me about it; O.K. ? " Taking me by the hand she whispered
softly in my ear, " come honey, please walk me home."

I was very subdued as we left the gym; it's as if my world had suddenly been
turned upside down. In the space of about 15 minutes, Mark - the bully who had
been intimidating me for years - was reduced to nothing more than a battered,
crying hulk...all by my *sweet* little girlfriend who, I thought, wouldn't
even hurt a fly. Not only did Heidi easily beat up the toughest boy in our
school, she seemed to enjoy every minute of it. For several blocks I was
unable to speak to her, or even look at her. She must have sensed what was on
my mind because, as we passed an ice cream parlor near her home, she gently
tugged my shoulder." Honey, let's have an ice cream sundae; I'll treat. It
looks like you and I need to have a talk."

We got our double-size sundae and sat down at a secluded corner booth. " O.K.
Mike, out with it; what's bugging you ? "

" What's bugging me ? You just beat up the toughest boy in our school -
massacred him actually - and you even enjoyed it. And you're asking what's
bugging me ? "

I heard her sigh. " What was I supposed to do Mike ? Let that bully continue
to humiliate you ? You're my boyfriend. How can I allow him to dominate you
when I had the power to prevent it ? What kind of friend would I be by
allowing this to go on ? And yes, I am tough on bullies; because that's the
only language they seem to understand. And I do enjoy putting them in their
places; I always have. But tell me the truth now Mike, isn't this really about
something else entirely ? Aren't you just ashamed that me - a girl - was able
to take care of this problem of yours ? A problem that you were unable to deal
with for years ? "

I tried to answer her but the words wouldn't come out. To myself at least, I
had to admit Heidi was right though. My little five-foot six-inch girlfriend
had completely demolished the scourge of my life; something I could never have
done on my own. I never thought of myself as a chauvinist...I guess I was
wrong. I just sat there, staring down at the table. I couldn't even look her
in the eyes.

I felt her warm hands cover mine. " Mike, I'm not naive; I know what you must
be feeling now. I've told you that I've moved so many times that I can't keep
track of where I've lived. I'm an only child, I have no friends here - or
anywhere else for that matter - except for you. From my first day in your
school you became my friend and, although we've only known each other for a
short time, I can say this with certainty - you're the best friend I've ever
had. Perhaps I should have told you that I'm a third degree black belt in
karate; that I can shatter bricks with my hands and feet. But I didn't want
you to be intimidated by me - boys usually are when they find out...I didn't
want to lose you. I would have told you eventually, Mark just forced my hand
sooner than I would have liked. Anyway, now you know who I am and what I'm
capable of. I'm also your friend - I may even be in love with you - and nobody
will ever treat you the way Mark did; not while I'm around. I do hope this
incident will not tarnish our relationship. I hope you're mature enough to
accept me as I am."

When she finished talking I had tears in my eyes. Heidi was indeed the most
wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. It would be foolish to let silly
masculine pride get in the way. Summoning up all of my courage, I said, "
Heidi, I'm sorry. I - I think I'm in love with you too."

After a short pause Heidi smiled." Good, I'm glad we're over that hurdle. Now
there's just one more thing I want to tell you."

" What's that ? "

" You'd better eat your ice cream sundae...it's melting."

We left the ice cream parlor and walked to her home. When we arrived, Heidi
squeezed my hand tightly." Mike, did I mention to you that my parents are away
for the weekend ? The house is all ours - if we want it that is." Again, she
hit me with her irresistible smile. I was as helpless against her as Mark had
been; mere putty in her hands. Together, Heidi and I entered her home...