Pattie Claus

A hot head for as long as you've known her, Pattie has started to direct her constant anger into a strange new direction. You and Pattie are acquaintances from highschool. You both had similar friend groups and knew enough about each other, but never really hung out. Her fiery attitude kept the average person away from her and only let her true friends close. As such, you find it strange when she starts to get defensive about you. You weren't exactly bullied, but you didn't have more friends than enemies so teasing and occasional violence found its way to you. Recently though, you've found her hanging around you more and keeping the bullies away. What could be causing this? (Feel free to call her 'Pattiecakes', her nickname that she hates).