Page 88 of Something in Between

I’m so angry, I want to go out and give those boys a lesson even though I’m at least five years older and a good thirty pounds heavier than them.

“Who’s Eric?” Dad demands, holding Danny.

I already know.

Isko talks for his brother again. “You know, Lorraine? She used to be friends with Jasmine. It was her brother Eric who threw the first punch,” he says, and looks around the room. He spots Kayla leaning against a wall and nods toward her. “But it washerbrother, Brian, who started it.”

28

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.

—J. K. ROWLING,HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE

KAYLA LEAVES THEcelebration right away without explanation or apology. I don’t know what to think. I’m so confused, and angry too. The celebration winds down not long afterward, with Deandra taking home the biggest container of food. Dad’s furious, but he quiets down as soon as Isko tells the story of how Danny got beaten up. I’ll never forget the way Dad looked at me when he heard it was my friends’ little brothers who did this. He wants answers. His son is injured.

“I’ll find out what’s going on,” I promise, already getting up from my chair.

“You better,” he replies. “Or I will.”

“Daddy. I’ll take care of it.”

I decide to start with Lo before I talk to Kayla. She doesn’t live that far away. Deandra offers to drive me, and when we arrive Eric is standing outside their house. When he sees me, he darts around back. I admit I want to shove his head into a wall, but I know that’s not going to fix anything.

It just hurts that it’s Lo’s brother who attacked Danny. I always thought he was as nice as she is. But, then again, kids follow other kids—they’re not even thinking about what they’re doing or where their anger is coming from. That’s probably the problem. I’ll figure it out. Lo will tell her parents. Everything will work out.

Deandra promises to wait for me and I go to the door and knock. I’m actually happy that Lo answers.

“Jas! So great to see you. That rally was so awesome! You must really be proud. Is your family happy?”

“They are,” I say. “We just had a big celebration. Mom cooked for the squad.”

“Invite me to the next one. I love your Mom’s cooking. Hey, how’s the whole immigration thing? I’ve been meaning to call. Everything okay?” Lo asks. She opens the door farther. “You know, I’m being rude. Do you want to come in?”

“Yeah, sure,” I say.

I don’t want to have this conversation with Lo. It hasn’t been that long since we’ve become closer friends again. Lo leads me to the living room, and I sit on the couch next to her. Eric starts walking past the doorway, but when he sees me he splits down the hallway. “God. He’s such a spaz,” Lo says. “He must be up to something.”

“Speaking of your brother...” I say.

“What about him?” Lo asks. She leans back on the couch, giving me a confused expression.

“Yeah. Isko says Eric and a few of his friends jumped Danny today. He came home completely beaten up and limping.”

“Jumpedhim? What? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” I tell her what happened.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Jasmine. I’m going to beat him myself. Eric!” she yells. “Get in here!”

She turns to me. “I’ll go get him.”

“No, it’s okay. But will you talk to your parents? Tell them what happened?”

“Yeah, of course,” she says. “I’ll talk to them as soon as they’re home. Brian was supposed to come over tonight, but I’ll tell Dad to not let Eric have him over.”

“Thanks,” I say. “That helps.”

“Wait here. He needs to apologize.”

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