I was small as a kid (I’m no giant now but bigger than average) and I was what you called “scrappy”. I was scared to death of fighting, especially some of the bully types, but the minute someone took a swing at me, I’d go ape sh1t, punching straight to the face with everything I had. Couple of times, with kids with long hair I’d get a fistful of hair in one hand and go to work with the other. Broke a couple of noses. Never trained for it, I just went crazy once I get hit. Only got my arse kicked one time when a much bigger kid got on top of me on the ground and pummelled me good. In each case, once the fight was over, I never had a problem with that kid again. Some of ‘em even became really good friends.
Seems the world is different these days, though. I’d be a bit scared if it was my kid that you don’t know if even a 12, 13 or 14 year old isn’t going to pull a knife or come to school the next day with a gun.
IRVING !?!! Is that you ?!!!