“GILLY!” Sarah spun around to stare at her.

Gilly’s voice wavered, “T-tell him you told Vice Principal Shirley that I was there, but I wasn’t because I went home before the fire even started. And my dad picked me up, so he can verify that. Tell him I said I’ll show the text to Vice Principal Shirley, Tanner, if you don’t stop this. . .now.”

Tanner froze, his phone an inch from his cheek. I could hear his dad shouting through the speaker.

Tanner hung up.

Sarah tossed her pages down onto the floor with a slap. “Fuck you, Gilly.”

Mr. Davidson swayed slightly. “Oh my” escaped his lips.

Gilly took a deep breath. “No. Fuck you, Sarah.”

“OKAY!” Mr. Davidson held up his hands and stepped into the line of rage. “That’s enough f-bombs for today. Sarah and Tanner and Gilly, that’s at least one too many each, so you can go to the office and pick up a detention slip. Everyone else.” He sighed and looked at his watch. “That’s a wrap for today. We’ll take this up tomorrow. So have your lines memorized.”

The Forever crew filed out of the room, each taking a long look at me as they left. Gilly was still struggling with her crutches, which clearly Tanner and Sarah weren’t going to help her with anymore.

“Hey.” I stepped forward, pulling back a stool so she could get out. “Thanks.”

“I mean.” She pulled a crutch into position. “It was kind of the least I could do.”

“Well, thank you anyway.” I slid out of her way. “I’m sorry you kind of— I mean I’m sorry you lost— I mean I’m sorry your friends—”

“Are assholes,” Gilly finished for me, hopping forward. “This whole town is full of assholes.”

“I used to think the same thing,” I said, “but to be honest Greenville is kind of proving me wrong. Like more and more every day. And I’m also kind of an asshole sometimes.” I pointed at myself with my thumbs. “Like I’m cool but I’m ALSO a person who starts pizza fights, so. . .”

“Yeah.” Gilly stared at the door. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to talk to me again.”

“You never know.” I shrugged.

“Yeah, when they decide they’re not talking to someone, they kind of stick to it,” Gilly told me.

“Well, I’m talking to you,” I offered. “You know, if you’re into that.”

An idea flashed over her face. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Do you want to come with me to the Fall Dance next weekend? Since I’ll probably be going by myself.” Her eyes got wide. “Not that that’s why I’m asking you.”

My face got hot. “Why are you asking me, then? Because I’m talking to you?”