"They gave you detention for defending yourself? That hardly seems fair." Which probably meant, in teenage boy speak, that he had overreacted, but Alfie sounded like he could use someone on his side about it. Besides, the kid probably deserved it. Natalie was no fan of bullies.
"I'm sorry, Alfie," she said gently. "For the record, you're my favorite boyfriend of hers." She paused awkwardly. Subject change time. "Do you want me to put in a word for you with Evan?"