Sophie turned and attacked a second time.
That was when Janelle fought back.
She slipped outside the next swing and landed a short counter.
Sophie stumbled.
Janelle stopped advancing.
Sophie rushed again.
They collided near the edge of the open walkway.
Sophie grabbed at Janelle’s shoulders.
Janelle pushed her away.
Another punch came.
Janelle ducked.
Then countered.
The fight became a series of brief exchanges rather than one continuous attack.
Sophie moved forward.
Janelle created space.
Sophie came again.
Finally Sophie rushed in and tried to grab Janelle with both arms.
Janelle shifted her weight and pushed hard.
Sophie lost balance.
She went down beside the fountain.
Janelle stayed standing.
For two seconds nobody moved.
Then Janelle lowered her hands.
Sophie remained on the pavement.
The fight was finished.
Janelle did not look triumphant.
She looked exhausted.
Then she remembered the books.
She turned away from Sophie and leaned over the fountain.
The water had already turned several notebook covers dark.
Loose pages floated near the stone edge.
Ethan stepped beside her.
“I’ll get the ones farther in.”
Janelle looked at him.
For months, Ethan had watched more than he had challenged.
Now he rolled up one sleeve, reached into the water, and pulled out a soaked blue notebook.
He handed it to her.
Then he retrieved the red binder.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Janelle looked at the wet pages.
“You didn’t throw them.”
“No.”
Ethan swallowed.
“But I laughed at stuff earlier this year.”
That was not the apology Janelle expected.
She nodded.