Brody probably would’ve fallen to the floor, but his guys caught him.

Caleb Rhines ran toward Winston, all three of the boys ignoring Mr. Flynn’s pleas to stop. “What is wrong with you, man?” Caleb shoved Winston, who backed away and bolted out of the gym.

Mr. Flynn finally arrived next to Brody. “Come on, Brody, let’s get out of here.”

“Yeah, get out of here!” Sophie hissed.

Brody paused, grinning at her, nudging off Mr. Flynn’s attempts to pull him away. “It’s just a joke, Silver Ledge.”

For a moment, Sophie seemed to morph into an entirely different person. The whole bottom half of her face quivered. Her shoulders wilted. Her mouth clamped shut, and then it tightened.

“Yeah, we know where you live. People talk, you know. Nice try keeping it secret, though,” he went on.

As quickly as Sophie’s spine had slumped over, it straightened. She held her head high. The Sophie that Eve recognized came back.

“Brody Dixon. Stop talking right now.”

For the first time, no murmurs or hollers could be heard in the gym. The only sound was Mr. Flynn directing another adult across the room to come help him.

Sophie’s jaw clenched. “I mean it. Stop.” Sophie took a step toward him, not a quiver left in her.

Eve remained where she was. How did Sophie speak back to him with such courage?

And did he say Silver Ledge? The apartment building? Eve had never been there, but she knew some kids in their district lived there. Who cared?

“Oh. What?” Brody goaded her. “You don’t want everyone to know you live in Silver Ledge? Like, a block from the jail?” Brody turned to the crowd and added, “I like my girls thrift store– and food stamps–free, you know?”

Some in the crowd gasped.

Eve tried to remember what had seemed sweet about Brody. Had it just been that he’d spoken to her? Told her about his dad’s girlfriend? Shared with her that he wanted to be an actor one day, but his dad didn’t like that? Was it just … his attention that she liked? How pathetic was Eve to let all that trick her? Attention had always been something she thought she hadn’t wanted, and yet she’d fallen for it.

Sophie pointed a finger at Brody’s chest. “People only like you because you’re rich. You’re a creepy, mean, disgusting excuse for a human being who will peak in high school before the world figures out you have no talent except for having a room for your ugly dog!”

Brody and his boys laughed. “What is she even talking about?” He turned to his friends. “Somebody’s still mad I didn’t ask her to the dance.”

At this, Sophie stalked out of the room, her high heels like mallets on the drum of the floor.

Eve turned to follow, but at the sound of Brody’s voice she stopped.

“Eve,” Brody said in a command, hand out once more. “Come on.”

“No.” Eve could finally breathe as Nessa arrived by her side.