Dylan froze for a second. Brandon straightened. Jace stood stiff like he was waiting to get called out for something he didn't study for. "Coach, hey, we weren't doing anything," Dylan blurted. Coach Avery ignored him entirely and looked straight at Marina.
"Are you okay?" She nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." Trevor stepped forward. "No, she's not."
"They were about to dump a bowl of punch on her." Brandon threw up his hands. "Dude, we were just messing around." "That's not messing around," Coach Avery snapped. "That's harassment."
Dylan's jaw clenched. "We didn't even do anything." "Because I got here in time," the coach shot back. "Move away from her now." A few students clapped quietly, relieved the situation was finally being handled by an adult.
But Marina knew this wasn't over. Dylan didn't look scared. He looked humiliated. And humiliation mixed with anger, it was a dangerous combination, especially for someone like him. The fire alarm finally clicked off.
The blasting noise faded, leaving behind a ringing silence and a room full of shaken students. A teacher announced, "Everyone outside now. We need to confirm the building is safe. Kids started filing toward the exits in a giant flood. The tension around Marina didn't disappear.
It just thinned enough for Dylan to pretend he didn't care anymore. He stepped back with a mocking grin. "Whatever. Forget it." Brandon elbowed him.
"Yeah, man. Let's go. This isn't worth it." But while they walked off, Jace paused. He stared at Marina.
Not taunting, not laughing. Something else. Something calculating. You got lucky," he muttered before turning away. Marina felt Trevor come up beside her.
"You sure you're all right?" "Yeah," she said softly. "You didn't look scared at all," he said. "Most people would have freaked out." Marina shrugged.
"I've dealt with worse." You shouldn't have to deal with this at all," he said, his voice firm. Coach Avery motioned for them to head outside with the rest of the crowd. Marina followed, her steps slow but steady. As she walked, she could feel dozens of eyes on her.
Some curious, some impressed, some pitying. Outside, everyone gathered on the sidewalk near the hotel entrance. The warm Florida air pressed against her skin. Students chatted in anxious groups. Trevor and Marina stood to the side, away from the clusters of gossiping kids.
"You really handled yourself back there," he said. Marina looked at him with a hint of a smile. "Thanks, but honestly, I wish none of it happened." "I get that," Trevor replied. "People like them.
They picked their targets carefully." "I know," she said quietly. There was a pause. Not awkward, just thoughtful. Trevor kicked at the curb lightly.
"So, is it true?" Marina blinked. "Is what true?" "That you box?" Her eyebrows raised a little.
"Who told you that?" "I overheard some kids from your gym in class last week. They said you're really good." Marina huffed out a small laugh. "I guess it's not a secret anymore."