Help with my character please?

[SMOOKIE]

I prefer the first one. I don't understand why people are picking the second and claiming it is 'new'- it's not. Number two is extremely close to the Mary Sue's of today's YA (shy, not much self-esteem, but later on come into themselves with the help of their man who protects them). The guy is already protecting people, but he chooses to do so. It would make more sense for him to become intrigued with her because she doesn't need to be protected. He would find that refreshing, and since he isn't controlling wouldn't mind that she prefers to be independent and isn't afraid to call him on his crap (if there is any) and maybe, because she's different, she can be the one who pulls him out of his all too serious phases. Perhaps you can mold one and three together and get a great independent, hard-headed, sweet person who can balance him out.