p, melodic toll that echoed

. She tossed the warm, melted ice pack into

She adjusted her expression, letting a soft, nervous lo

he campus athletic center, Caden s

pent more time in detention than in class. She had a silver ring pier

of twenty-dollar bills fro

Caden said, his voice flat.

ete. She snatched the cash from Caden's hand and

howing a chipp

rply. Two other girls stepped out from behind the

ker room, the air was

nt of the long mirrors. They were cha

, applying a thick coat of lip gloss.

"She looked lik

room suddenly slammed open. It hi

dded against the tile floor. Her two friends

click as Roisin l

lip gloss. It rolle

ng?" Shawna asked

for Brenda, grabbing the sorority president by the throat and slamming he

ed, watching Brenda gasp for air in p

her gasping, then turned to the others. She

a scr

face-first into the mi

in terror. Her back hi

nee. Tammy collapsed onto the wet tile. The girl grabbed a large plastic water

as the water soaked h

e mirror, pressing Shawna

nto Shawna's ear. "He said you touc

s Brenda! Brenda did

ssors from her jacket pocket. The blade

st Shawna's cheek. She grabbed a thic

n

blonde hair fell

rieked hy

l," Roisin said, her voice dead serious. "You apologize in fr

, Alma walked into th

t the empty tables in the back. She deliberately chose a ta

led Caden's jacket ti

of the dining h

room died instantly. H

His face was a

racksuits were soaked. Shawna's hair was a jagged, uneven me

the center of the room. H

just turned and glared at

to Alma's table. Their bo

dining hall was wat

ammy bowed a

in the quiet room. "We're so sorry we bullied you th

htened around the

took every ounce of her self-control not to smile. The

showed only s

Caden. Her eyes we

oftly, making sure her voice sounded

made him feel like a god. He had protected

d slightly toward

t," Cad

ed their faces and ran

the chair next to

rrounding tables looked down at t

y brushed his knuckles agai

nto his touch slightly, playing the

n. Her face was chalk-white. She dropped her

head and took a

owl, her shoulders finally rela

delivered. She

y her side. The afternoon sun hit her face. Th