Page 62 of Dancing in the Rain

Her jaw dropped as Chloe related what had happened. “And Drew made Mr. Lowell call Scott’s parents and they came to the school, too, and Drew told them the same things he told Mr. Lowell.”

“Dear God,” Peyton breathed. “How did that go?”

“They were mad at first, but then he told them if the sight of a girl in a camisole top and leggings was too much for their son to handle, they have a big problem. And they agreed with him.”

“Really.” Peyton shook her head.

“It was all kinds of embarrassing, but then after school I was talking to my friends and they all feel the same…the stupid rules are way stricter for girls than they are for boys and it makes us all feel like we’re being pressured. We’renota distraction to the boys.”

Peyton nodded, her mind whirling.

“And Drew told them that, too, and said that it was perpetuating rape culture to bring boys up to think that what a girl wears is responsible for their actions.”

“Holy shit.” Peyton covered her mouth.

Chloe laughed. “I know, right?”

“Rape culture? Dear God, what do you know about rape culture?”

And what the hell didDrewknow about rape culture?

“Auntie P. I’m nearly twelve.” She rolled her eyes.

Peyton took a long breath in and let it out. “Okay. Well. You’re all right now?”

“It was embarrassing, being pulled out of class like that. That never happens to the boys. But I’m okay. I think my friends and I are going to do something about this.”

Peyton smiled. Another one of Chloe’s crusades. She leaned down and kissed Chloe’s forehead. “I think that sounds awesome.”

“Drew stood up for me,” Chloe said quietly. She peered up at Peyton through her eyelashes. “I really like him, Auntie P.”

Peyton’s heart turned over in her chest. “I’m glad you do.”

“I liked having him here,” Chloe continued. “He’s good at math.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“He also played World of Wizards with me.”

“After your homework was done, I hope.” She arched a brow.

“Yeah. And he even made us dinner…spaghetti. It was good.”

“Great.”

“Mom wouldn’t eat any, though.” She paused. “She’s hardly eating anything.”

“I know.” She reached out to smooth Chloe’s hair. “Remember, they told us that would happen.”

“I know. It just…” Chloe’s eyelids drooped. “I wish she would eat.”

“I know. C’mere.” She pulled her niece into a hug and they held on to each other for a long moment. “I’m here, sweetie. I’m here for you.”

“I know.”

It wasn’t going to get easier. Peyton blinked back tears before she pulled away. “Time for lights out. Past time, actually.” She glanced at Chloe’s clock. “I’ll go check on your mom.”

“She was asleep when I came up to bed. I checked on her.”

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