The house was a mess of voices again. I could hear Madison raising hers from down the hallway, and my chest tightened just from the tone of it.

  "I'm serious, Mom!" she snapped. "How long are you gonna pretend like Lily's not going through hell at that school?"

  Ugh. I wasn't even trying to eavesdrop, but their yelling practically dragged me into the room.

  Mom scoffed. "Oh please, Madison. Not this again. I've got Beatrice's modeling photos to organize and Kristy's prom appointment to finalize. Can we not do this right now?"

  "Are you kidding me?" Madison sounded like she was ready to explode. "You're sitting here talking about prom and photoshoots when your youngest daughter is being physically abused in school!"

  I walked into the room slowly, biting my lip so hard I thought I'd taste blood. Part of me wanted to scream, and another part just wanted to disappear into the wall.

  "She's always been dramatic," Mom said, waving her hand like my pain was some kind of passing breeze. "Lily's probably just looking for attention."

  That hit hard. I didn't even realize I let out a breath until Madison turned toward me and said, "Tell her. Go on. Tell her what Trina and her little gremlins did."

  I looked at my mom. Her expression wasn't angry—it was worse. It was blank. Like she was already bored with whatever was about to come out of my mouth.

  So I said it anyway. "They cornered me in the locker room. Leila shoved me so hard that I hit the sink. My lip was bleeding."

  Mom sighed as I'd just told her I lost a sock.

  "I swear, Lily, you've always had this habit of exaggerating every single little thing. Just focus on your studies and stop letting people get to you. Maybe if you dressed a little better—"

  "Oh my God," I cut her off, her voice shaking but loud. "You care more about what Kristy's gonna wear to prom than the fact that your daughter is being beaten at school."

  Her eyes narrowed like she couldn't believe I dared to talk back.

  "I'm tired, Lily. We all have things going on."

  Madison stepped forward, furious. "We're all tired! Do you think Lily isn't? You think being beat up every day by a bunch of spoiled little gremlins is fun?"

  "Watch your tone."

  "No. Watch your mothering."

  The air sizzled. My heart was punching my ribs.

  And then came the familiar voice that somehow made everything freeze.

  "What's happening here?"

  Woody. At the door, looking like he just stepped out of a movie—calm, expression unreadable. I didn't even hear him come in.

  Madison scoffed and left, muttering something about needing air. The front door creaked and slammed.

  Mom sighed dramatically and walked off to make a call. I heard her say something like "Yes, principal? It's Lily's mom..."

  Then Woody turned to me. No judgment. Just that same quiet, heavy look. "Just give me a name."

  I blinked. "What?"

  "I don't need to know why. Just... a name."

  I hesitated. He didn't even look angry. He looked calm. Too calm. Which was somehow scarier.

  "Trina," I said finally. "And her muppets—Kathy, Leila, Poppy."

  He nodded like he just filed it away in his brain. Then stood up and walked back into the house.

  The next morning came faster than expected. My stomach was in knots the whole ride to school, even with Madison in the passenger seat hyping me up like, "They're not gonna get away with it. I promise."

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  But I wasn't so sure. Especially when we got called into the principal's office before the first period even began.

  The room was already packed. The principal. Trina. Her sidekicks. All their parents. My mom. Madison. And me.

  The tension was thicker than the bad foundation.

  Trina was already fake-crying before I even sat down. "I don't know what this is about," she sniffed. "I would never hurt anyone. Lily just doesn't like me because I'm popular."

  I scoffed, then immediately wished I hadn't. But seriously? That was her defense?

  Her mom leaned forward dramatically. "This is ridiculous. Our daughter is being accused based on hearsay. There's no video, no proof."

  "That's because they do it in places with no cameras!" Madison barked. "Convenient, huh?"

  The principal looked uncomfortable like he wanted to side with us, but his eyes kept flicking to Trina's dad—some big-shot donor who basically paid for the last school library renovation.

  "I understand this is a sensitive matter," the principal said, clearing his throat. "But we can't proceed without physical evidence. However... we will assign detention to Trina for repeated inappropriate comments reported by staff and students."

  That was it?

  That was all she got?

  I couldn't even process it. Madison stood up so fast her chair screeched. "This is disgusting. She's gonna keep hurting people just because her family throws money at you?"

  "Madison," Mom warned through her teeth, "sit down."

  I didn't say anything. I just stared at the principal, then at Trina, who gave me the tiniest smirk behind her dad's shoulder.

  The ride home was painfully quiet. No one said anything. Not even Madison.

  Back home, Madison went straight to the kitchen. "Hot cocoa?" she offered.

  I just nodded and collapsed onto the couch.

  Then Mom walked in.

  "You need to stop this little attention-seeking behavior," she said as she took off her heels like she hadn't just witnessed my entire breakdown. "I have Beatrice's new shoot this weekend and Kristy's dress fitting. I can't keep dealing with your drama."

  That was the final straw.

  "You never 'deal' with me!" I shouted. "You don't even know what classes I'm taking this year! Or that my shoes have holes in them!"

  She just shrugged. "You'll grow out of it. Quit it already."

  I stormed off to my room, slammed the door, and just sat on the edge of my bed staring at nothing.

  Later, Madison came in and sat beside me. "You okay?"

  "No."

  She leaned back. "If it happens again, record it. Or get near a camera. Anything. But you need to protect yourself." She then came up hugging me, "I'm here for you."

  The next day felt weird. My stomach did that twisty-turny thing it always does before something major happens. I didn't know if I was about to get laughed at again or finally get justice. Honestly, I expected nothing.

  I was in homeroom when the speaker cracked.

  "Lily Matthews, to the principal's office."

  My entire body froze. A few kids ooohed like it was some reality show moment. I grabbed my bag and made my way down the hallway, every step heavier than the last.

  When I opened the door, my heart legit stopped.

  There they were.

  Trina. Kathy. Leila. Poppy. All lined up like the Plastics got called into judgment day. Their parents were there too, including Trina's dad — the same guy who once told me at a PTA meeting that I better not think about applying to his alma mater.

  I sat down slowly, confused as hell.

  Principal Greaves cleared her throat. "Their parents say they have something important to discuss with you."

  Trina's dad stood, face looking like it'd seen a ghost. And I swear, when his eyes met mine, there was something in them. Not guilt. Not even embarrassment. Fear.

  Actual fear.

  "My daughter has... behaved poorly," he said, voice tight. "She and her friends have made your life difficult, and that ends today. Trina?"

  Trina looked like she wanted to evaporate. "I... I'm sorry, Lily. For everything. All of it."

  Kathy followed. "Yeah. Sorry."

  Leila and Poppy mumbled their apologies too.

  I just stared at them. This couldn't be real. What alternate universe did I walk into?

  "Uh... okay," I said slowly. "I accept your apologies. But I want you to stay away from me. And from other kids too. Just... stop being bullies."

  I looked at Principal Greaves. "And they should get real punishment. Not just some weak detention. Or is it because of who their parents are?"

  She didn't answer, but she didn't deny it either.

  I turned to the principal. "And she needs real consequences. Not just a slap on the wrist."

  She nodded, looking relieved.

  After school, Woody was already outside, leaning on his car like he'd been waiting for hours.

  I got in without a word. But halfway through the drive, I asked, "What did you do?"

  He smiled, eyes still on the road. "Just talked to them."

  "What did you say to them? They were shaking."

  He looked at me, seriously. "Doesn't matter. What matters is you're safe now."

  I swallowed hard. My chest felt heavy again, but this time, it wasn't from sadness. It was something else. Something... warm.

  "Thanks," I whispered. "Really. Even though I've been such a pain in your ass."

  He let out a small laugh. "Yeah, well. You grow on people."

  The ride back home felt nice. We talked here and there, talked about my interest in writing, and by the time we were done, we had reached the house.

  "Okay, this is me. Thanks." I smiled at him wanting to exit the car, before I felt a slight tug on my arm.

  "Hey," he said softly. "If something like that ever happens again — tell me, okay? Please. I hate seeing you like this."

  And then he pulled me into a hug.

  I froze.

  Who is this weirdo? I just met him last week and he's already hugging me like he raised me from the womb.

  But still... I hugged him back.

  We stood there for a second. Maybe longer.

  "Thank you, Woody. I really do appreciate you. Even after being kind of a pain in your ass."

  He laughed, the sound soft and real. The air felt lighter.

  He released me and nudged my shoulder. "Go inside, dummy."

  Just before I went in, I turned around and waved.

  What a weird dude.

  But maybe... just maybe, I needed a weird dude like him right now.