The teen let a small sigh leave his lips pacing a small bit. He’d thought he was doing right — doing his job to keep the woman safe - but it looks like he’s messed up on something easy once again…
“Look Wendy — I’m not trying to offend you… I know you could take me down without even trying — and I know you’re better at almost everything physical then me - and socially too… I just thought I was supposed to keep you safe..? Like — I mean, yeah, friends look out for friends, but more in the way of ‘A mans job is to protect a woman’ — Heh… I guess that was some bullshit advice - thanks dad…”
At least he understood what she was getting at. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him a small smile. Wendy didn’t want him to think she had any hard feelings about the whole thing.
"Dude, chill. Yeah, it was kinda crappy how you pushed me aside, but your heart was in the right place, which is more than I can say about some dudes. I know you’re not some macho moron and that you didn’t mean any harm. You’re a cool guy, just a little confused. As a dude, you’re not obligated to do anything for a woman except care about her like you’d care about anyone else, y'know? You don’t gotta be the big hero all the time, Dip.“