Carlos didn’t flinch when Héctor stood up. He picked up the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie off his tray and put it on Héctor’s. “Consider this the start of an apology,” he said. “A peace offering.”

He felt a hand on his arm, and he looked down to see Aishah staring up at him, imploring him to sit back down. “It’s okay, Héctor,” she said. “I think you should hear him out.”

He sat but continued shaking his head. “No, I don’t think so. You let him go after me, Carlos!” He lowered his voice. “All of you did. You hung me out to dry.”

“You’re right,” said Jackson. “Just like you said to me last week. We didn’t do anything to stop him.”

“And it probably doesn’t help,” added Taylor, “but we’re all terrified of Mike.”

Héctor’s shoulders drooped. He couldn’t be mad at that moment because he was just as afraid of Mike as they were.

“I know,” said Héctor. “And I shouldn’t have spoken to you like I did last week, Jackson.”

“It’s cool, I promise,” he said, smiling. “I think we all get it.”

“Because we’ve all been there,” said Carlos.

That stopped Héctor. “What? What are you talking about, dude?”

Carlos’s brown face turned a deep red. “Héctor, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice cracking. “I went along with most of it because . . . well.” He wiped at his eyes. “I’m afraid of him, too. Last year, he started making fun of my dad. He works in landscaping, and Mike saw him working one day. He started saying the most awful things about me and my dad.”

“Really?” said Héctor. “Like what he said to me? About the trash?”

“Worse,” said Carlos. “But instead of standing up to him, I joined him. It was easier that way. If I made fun of the same people he picked on, then he would ignore me.”

So, Héctor had been right about that part. But it still stung: Carlos had thrown so many people under the bus to save himself.

“That sucks, man,” said Héctor. “But . . . what about us? You helped Mike!”

Carlos sighed. “I really am sorry for what I did. But I’ll tell you the same thing I told Aishah, Jackson, and Taylor. We shouldn’t have stayed quiet last week. We shouldn’t have let that happen.”

“None of us should have,” said Aishah. “And we’re tired of being afraid.”

“Meaning what?” asked Héctor.

Carlos let out a long breath. “If you ever decide to confront Mike or Ms. Heath—and we totally get it if you don’t—count me in. I’ll help.”

“Count us all in,” said Jackson.

“It’s okay,” said Héctor. “I think I’ll just do my best to avoid Mike.”