Mr. Phillips, my math teacher, finally noticed the commotion and hurried over. Jesse and his posse wasted no time kicking rocks. I didn’t want a repeat the next day so when my teacher questioned me, I told him I’d fallen and limped home before he could ask any more questions.

“Do you see him?”

My head flew up to meet Angel’s hard gaze. “See who?”

“Jesse,” he answered through clenched teeth.

Naively, I scanned the crowd until my gaze fell on the blond hair and pudgy face of Jesse Newman. Angel followed my gaze, and a split second later, he was moving in his direction.

Oh.

I ran to keep up even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop him. Jesse and two of his goonies were standing on the side of the building, away from the crowd and teachers, while they pushed around the same boy from yesterday. I guess he liked to get a head start on his quota for the day.

He was wearing his signature faded blue hoodie that he never took off, even in the heat—even if it made him smell rank. I don’t think he even knew what deodorant was. Rumor was his parents were not only poor but also abusive. He probably used his size over his classmates to make himself feel better about it and stole lunch money to eat.

After yesterday, though, it was hard to sympathize with him.

“You Newman?” Angel demanded when we were close enough

“Who wants to know?” Jesse mouthed. That was before he looked up. I took great pleasure in watching his eyes bug out of his head. “Do I know you?”

“Do you want to know me?”

“I—” He looked around and shuffled his feet. His two friends, carrot top and shaggy, had already put space between them and Jesse. The kid they were pushing around looked up in awe from the ground. “I don’t think so.”

He looked ready to piss his pants, and Angel hadn’t done anything other than stand there.

“But you know her, right?” It wasn’t until Jesse’s accusing blue eyes landed on me that I realized he was referring to me.

“N—no.”

Liar!

Angel pointed to my busted lip. “Hm,” he said in that way that let me know shit just hit the fan. “So, this isn’t your handiwork?”

“I never touched her! I swear!”

“Funny. She says you did.”

“She—she’s lying!”

“Say what?” Angel took a menacing step forward. “Let me hear that again? She’s…?” He waited.

Tears gave Jesse’s eyes a glossy sheen.

Jesse Newman was actually crying.

I grinned.

“Tell you what. I’ll give you a chance to apologize.”

Jesse didn’t hesitate. His head whipped toward me. “S—sorry.”

Angel shook his head and smiled. “I don’t accept that kind of apology.” His tone never lost its calm, but I could hear the sinister edge beneath it.

“What do you mean then?”

“You’re going to let her return the favor.”

What?

“B—but—but—but—but… I can’t let agirlhit me!”

Angel’s fine shoulders lifted in a careless shrug. “Okay then.” I watched his powerful hand as he balled it into a fist and took another step forward.

“Wait!”

“What? You don’t want a girl to hit you, right?”

“Please, sir.”

“Ah… I see. It’s not fun when they’re bigger and stronger than you, is it?” Stupidly, Jesse shook his head. “So, what will it be?”

He looked between Angel and me weighing his options. I knew what he decided when he sniffled, and his body slackened. “Okay.”

“Okay…?”

He quickly pointed a chubby finger at me. “She can do it.”

Angel’s grin was slow and scary. “Good. Because she’s not going to stop untilI’msatisfied.” Jesse gasped and looked ready to bolt, but Angel was no longer paying attention to him. He was staring at me now. “Do your worst, kid.”

“Um.”

His stare went from hard to impatient. “It’s not an option.”

It was then I realized that I was just as much a pawn in Angel’s game as he was. If I refused him, Angel would likely pummel him, which wouldn’t fare well for Jesse. Angel would leave permanent damage. Beating up Jesse in front of his friends would be doing him a favor.

After stealing another glance at Angel, I squared my shoulders and tried to look tough. Jesse didn’t look particularly worried about me. His terrified gaze was still locked on Angel.

I swung, landing my first punch on his arm. I stepped back, hoping it was over. Jesse didn’t move, but his face said he hoped it was over, too.

I should have known better.

“Again.”

I didn’t hesitate this time. I punched his shoulder, this time,harder. I could tell he felt it this time when he winced.

“Again.”

I chose his chest. Rearing back, I put my weight behind it this time. This time, I was rewarded with a lowoomph.

Angel didn’t need to direct my next hit. The rush I felt spurred me. I delivered blows, again and again, choosing tender spots, and giving it all I got until he was on the ground trying to escape the pain and humiliation.