Talk turns to school, to the people we like, we hate, to what’s been going on lately, to who deserves it, who has it coming. Ava mentions Paige, and there is a collective groan.

“She’s just Breanne’s puppet,” says Ava.

“Have you seen her run?” Jesse asks, laughing. “She can only go about two feet before stopping.”

“Honestly, I think she must have an eating disorder,” says Ava.

“Meanwhile her best friend is like a mutant athlete,” someone else chimes in.

“Who, Breanne?” I say. “I don’t think they’re best friends. Breanne is a total bitch.”

“That’s probably why they’re friends, hello!” Jesse laughs.

“I dunno,” I mumble, “Paige isn’t that bad.” I can feel Dee looking at me. Really? she’s thinking. And yes, I know she’s right, but I feel protective of Paige for some reason.

“Some people are mysterious,” Marta says quietly, smiling, and I am grateful for her slightly loopy niceties.

“Whatever, and some people just need you to fuck their shit up,” says Jesse, and others grumble in agreement.

The night comes, and the town slips on it like a patch of oil, falling into darkness. The fire crackles and throws light up against all our faces. Dee listens, chewing on the cuff of her hoodie, nodding and laughing along with everyone else, but her eyes are alert. She is sitting up straight, taking it all in.

Later, when I am home, my hair on my pillow smelling like campfire, my comforter up around my shoulders, she texts me.

Keep your eyes on the prize

I type back.

Just not sure I want to win

You do, she texts. Or at least, you don’t want to lose. Eventually we’ll do something so big, they’ll see they have no power over us

Back and forth, until I’m too tired and I sign off, my eyes shutting with dreams like movies: wide shots and close-ups, music that tells us that something’s happening, something we should be wary of, nervous about, even if we don’t know quite what it is.

Chapter 15

15

On Monday, everybody is talking about the pranks, and if there will be more. Breanne has apparently already had her parents speak to the principal about how she doesn’t feel the school is a “safe space,” which is, as we all well know, the silver bullet for getting grown-ups to do what you want.

Before lunch today, there was an announcement on the PA system reminding students that vandalism and bullying will not be tolerated at the school, and anyone who is found to be committing acts of either will be dealt with accordingly.

Breanne appears at her lunch table with shimmering eyes, surrounded by supportive friends who glower at everyone outside their group.