Page 4 of Quinlan

This is a lesson that’s been a long time coming.

“Do I look like I care?” Rome spits out, then turns to Liam. “L, you have something to add?”

Byadd, Rome means,kick her. He means,I know I’ll get detention for this plus a few days of no-food at home. But she bullied you, and it’ll be worth it.

Liam doesn’t say a word. Slides a hand into the pocket of his jeans and takes his Zippo out.

“No.” Ginnie starts crying big, fat tears.

My chuckle sounds evil. She has to have heard it since I’ve moved close to the three of them.

Rome nods at Liam. “Do it.”

The lighter flicks open. Liam still hasn’t had his growth spurt. He has to lift his arm until the gold Zippo reaches Ginnie’s eyes. He keeps it on him always, a way to calm himself when his memories get the best of him. To remind himself what a badass he is, holding the thing that’s partially responsible for his scar.

Flicking it open and shut like he owns it.

Flick. Snap. Flick. Snap.

“D-don’t, please.”

Liam squints at Ginnie. His mouth pinches into a straight line. When he closes the lid on the Zippo, she screams at the abruptsound. His expression doesn’t change. He flicks it open again, rolling his finger over the wheel.

The blue-red flame flares before her eyes.

The rest happens fast. So fast.

He grabs a strand of her hair that’s escaped from Rome’s grip. Brings the fire to it.

Burns two inches of her hair before killing the flame between two fingers.

The big bully’s face is as red as her hair as she sobs. Weeps harder when he slaps the top of her head to put out the fire.

Yes. That’s what I’m talking about.

“Go, Liam,” I say.

I bet Rex would scream louder than Ginnie when I take my revenge on him. Once the three of us are all grown up, I’ll make him scream. Oh, man, will I fucking ever.

Rome’s attention doesn’t waver from Liam. Neither does mine. Not even when our friend takes a step back, crossing his arms over his chest. The shame has disappeared from his face.

He owns the fire. When he controls the fire, it doesn’t control him.

This big dumb bully doesn’t control him either.

“L, you done?” Rome watches him. “I can hold her down some more. As much as you need.”

“I’m fine.” Two words. That’s it.

Those two words are the order Rome needs to release Ginnie from his grasp. She stumbles to the side, landing on me, of all people.

“Gross, Gin. All that snot. No one wants to see that.” I push her to the ground, throwing her words back at her.

Too easily, she tumbles to the ground.

Reminds me of how Jagger tripped over himself when Rex shoved him on the kitchen floor a few months ago.

He won’t be doing that anymore.

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