After the Fall by Kate Hart

Author:Kate Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

RAYCHEL

Just when I think Matt’s starting to get it, he demonstrates in spectacular fashion that he doesn’t. Maybe I was too hard on him in class, but goddamn—he’s a rich white dude with his future wide open, and he wants to lecture me about not trying hard enough for college and how much I weigh while whining about his own opportunities? Excuse me if I’m not interested in sitting through his insights on gender roles.

He’s walking a safe ten feet behind me, but I slow down when I notice Andrew farther ahead. His arm drapes around Keri as they leave the lobby. His other hand shoots out to touch Cowboy Chester. He doesn’t notice Carson breaking off from a group across the patio.

I speed up, pushing outside into the crisp afternoon.

“Richardson!” Carson barks. Andrew looks up. “You a senior now, or just think you’re such a badass that rules don’t apply to you?”

Andrew replies with something I can’t hear, but I see his casual smirk. Keri backs away from them, stopping beside me. “That jerk,” she whispers. “I hope Andrew kicks his butt again.”

I don’t. I start forward but Matt catches me by the shoulder. “What are you doing?”

I brush him off and take another step, slightly sideways, so I can see both boys’ faces. Carson, twice as wide but nowhere near eye level, even on tiptoe, gets closer and closer to Andrew. He pokes Andrew in the chest. “You think you’re hot shit, junior?”

Andrew scoffs. “I kicked your ass, didn’t I?”

“Two on one’s not a fair fight.” His spit sprays Andrew’s shirt. “Your big brother isn’t here to defend your ass.”

Matt coughs. They both turn to glower at him. “This isn’t your—” Andrew starts, but Carson sucker punches him in the gut and the word “fight” comes out in a wheeze. “Fight!” someone yells for him, and another voice takes up the chant. “Fight! Fight!”

Blood rushes in my ears, deafening me to anything resembling sense. I start forward and Andrew straightens up to grab my arm. “Raych,” he warns.

His fingers dig into my flesh. He’s not scared to hurt me like Matt is. “Damnit, let go!”

“Stay out of it, Sanders.” Carson reaches like he’s going to push me away. In a movement so fast that I miss it, Andrew lets go of me and pops him in the mouth. Carson yells, guttural and furious. His hands cover his lips. Blood seeps between his fingers. “I’ll kill you!” He sounds like a cartoon character, words all spongy and exaggerated.

The lobby doors burst open. “You,” the principal shouts, pointing at all three boys. “In my office. Now.” He gives me a long stare but leaves me alone. The boys follow him into the building without a backward glance.

The crowd buzzes around us. I’m so furious that I’m shaking. I spin around, looking for someone or something to hurt, but a hand touches my back. “Raychel.”

I blink. Keri links her arm through mine and tugs me gently through the crowd.

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