of rubbing alcohol, a scent that ma

the crinkly paper cover

ached her holding a blood pres

d her vitals, she would instantly see the severe an

slid off the b

cing a bright smile. "I just skipped

. His arms were crossed over his chest.

ve a single wor

into her backpack. She pulled o

rapper open and

immediately violently rejected it. She forced her

ll paper cup of water. "Eat a proper

ty hallway. Bishop pushed off

in silence f

into his jacket pocket and pulled out

hard agains

shop ordered,

then up at his hard face. S

uring outside. Gym class was move

noise of squeaking sneakers a

file. She sat alone on the bottom

He sat a few rows up and to her left, staring a

f football players were pla

a bad temper, missed a layup.

ge, he kicked a heavy, stainless-stee

aunched into the a

the bleachers. Straigh

avy metal object was flying at her fac

leather lunged a

nd snatched the metal

ade a loud,

s hand was gripping the bottle ju

ulged against his skin. Hi

etball court we

is arm. He turned his h

ely black. He radiated a m

aking a step back. "My ba

. He weighed the heavy m

d his arm back

heavy steel dented violently inward, buckling under the sheer force of the impact. Water exploded everywhe

and fell backwa

t. He stood over Preston, looking

," Bishop said, his voice dropping to a ter

er, blowing his whistl

turned his back on the teacher

from the bench and slu

ing hands. His eyes softened

p said quietly.

the gym, and Cl

ng her bag. The back of his hand was already swelling, turn

s hurt," Cla