Jesse Elton mocks Mason’s movements, high-stepping like a soldier marching in a parade. He pretends to hold a sign in one hand. He lifts the other to his temple and salutes the crowd. Spencer pairs with Kerrianne and mimics Jesse’s moves. But what shocks me the most is Spencer’s belt buckle. It’s a Confederate flag. Way to own your hate.

Daniel grabs a sign, rejoins the protest, and shouts, “No debate! No debate!”

Spencer starts chanting, “Save the debate! Save the debate!” Like an orchestra conductor, he motions to the crowd, encouraging others to join him. Several people do, like this is some joke.

“Stop!” I shout, but the chanting smothers my voice. This has to end now. I try again, moving between Spencer and Kerrianne as they battle from opposite sides.

Where the hell is Mr. Bartley?

Someone pushes me from behind, and I have a split second to raise my arms as I fall into a locker. Heather pitches forward. Her sign drops from her hands, barely missing Daniel’s head as it crashes to the floor. She grabs my shirt. Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I slam into the locker again with her on top of me.

More and more people pick sides, and it’s nearly impossible for me to tell who’s yelling “Save the debate!” or “No debate!”

I scan the chaos and spot Mrs. Ingram, waving her arm and pointing her index finger like she’s ordering students to leave. I look for Logan’s purple Converse. And just as I spot her next to Kerrianne, arms spread wide, Jesse pins Mason against Mr. Bartley’s closed door. They’re both grasping the sign handle, pushing one another. Jesse yells at Mason, something about ruining their team. I don’t think. I don’t wait. I jump in, straight-arm both of them, and shout at the top of my lungs, “STOOOOOOP!”

Chapter 64: Logan

Pandemonium. The word flashes in my head as I spread my arms wide, trying to protect Kerrianne after Spencer shoves her. “You bitch,” he says, to her, to me, to both of us. I brace myself; prepare to take him down with a swift knee to his family jewels, a defensive move that Blair and I learned from a YouTube video. Spencer raises his hands. His nostrils flair like a bull’s, but he backs off.

I turn to Kerrianne. “Are you all right?” Those are the most words I’ve spoken to her since she cornered me in the bathroom at the beginning of the school year, staking her claim on Mason.

“Yeah, thanks.” At least that’s what I think she says. It’s growing louder by the second and there’s more pushing and shoving. Suddenly, a piercing voice overpowers all others. “STOOOOOOP!”

Cade.

And to my surprise, people quiet down like Cade hit a mute button.