Say it, she said. Or are you just going to stand there breathing hard and hoping we walk away? Danielle didn't flinch. Her hands stayed at her sides. She hadn't raised her voice.
She hadn't raised a fist. You had your fun, she said. Now step aside. Brooke rolled her eyes. Oh, now she's giving orders.
Then her face changed, tightened just a little. The smirk stayed, but her pride started to catch up to her mouth. She couldn't back down. Not with a crowd watching. "You want me to move? " she asked, stepping closer, chin lifting.
"Then move me," Danielle didn't. She stood still, unmoving. Brooke shoved her. It wasn't hard. Not enough to knock her down, but enough to draw a reaction.
Enough to show everyone who started it. Phones shifted angles. The crowd's murmurss turned sharper. Danielle took one step back to catch her balance. She blinked once slowly.
"I'm not touching you," she said. "But you touch me again. " Brooke shoved her a second time. "Harder now. Both hands out. " "Or what? " Danielle didn't answer. Amber lunged from the side, trying to push her shoulder.
Danielle stepped out of the way, sharp and clean, but didn't retaliate. Kelsey hissed. hit her already. But Danielle still didn't move. Her voice didn't rise. I'm warning you, she said.
Then Brooke raised her hand. She meant to slap her. That much was obvious. The motion was wide and sloppy. All drama and no skill.
But the moment that arm came swinging through the air, everything stopped. Danielle caught her wrist mid motion. Brooke froze, eyes wide. Danielle's grip tightened just enough to send a message. "Not pain, just control.