“I can’t wait until those pictures come in,” Emily giggled.

“That’s the first time in years that I’ve willingly let someone take my picture,” Louie remarked.

“Really?” Emily asked.


“Yeah, I don’t think I photograph well,” Louie replied.

“That’s stupid,” Emily blurted out. She realized how forceful that sounded. She tried to backtrack and sound more tactful. “I… I mean, you’re really good-looking, I think, and… and… and you shouldn’t be afraid of having your picture taken…”


Louie chuckled softly and gently caressed Emily’s cheek. “You are such a sweetheart.”


A hard slap that seemed to come from nowhere shocked Emily, sending her reeling. She stared in shock at her attacker.

“First, you steal my best friend, and now you’re getting my baby brother on your side,” Mae hissed, glaring at Emily. “Don’t you have any self respect? You make me sick.”

“Get AJ,” Emily mouthed to Louie. He nodded and hurried away.

“It’s your fault that Ophelia’s so lame!” Mae said sharply. “You know why she’s part of that stupid news team? Do you? She got in trouble for getting into a fight with my older brother. And do you know why, Emily?”

Emily shook her head rapidly.

“Because she decided that she would rather get in trouble than let LB say anything bad about you. She decided to be your knight in freakin' shining armor, protecting you from the big, bad bully. And after she was put on that show, she spent more time with you and less with me. It’s your fault Ophelia and I don’t get along anymore! You came between us! But that‘s okay! You‘ll both get what‘s coming to you!” Mae cried out.


She pulled her hand back, ready to slap again, but a hand roughly grabbed her arm, and another hand forced her around. Mae found herself face to face with an enraged AJ.

“Nobody talks to my sister like that, and nobody lays a f****** hand on her!” AJ yelled.

Mae shrunk back a little. “I…” she started.

“You’re lucky you’re a woman, because if you were a man, I would beat you senseless. But since you’re a woman, you’re getting let off easy. See Ms. Gibson over there? See her heading over? Well, guess what… she was watching you, and from the look on her face, I don’t think you’ll be in school for a while,” AJ said.


When Ms. Gibson got close, AJ released Mae from his grip. Emily looked worriedly over at AJ.

“AJ,” Emily said softly, “thanks. Where’s Ophelia at?”

AJ thought a moment. “Bathroom, I think. Why?”

Emily watched Sawyer, the black-haired cheerleader, walk into the bathroom. “I think Mae might have recruited someone to take Ophelia down. I owe her. If I’m not out in five minutes, get help.”

She hurried over to the bathroom, hoping to avert a tragedy. She only hoped that she wold not be too late.