You and Jodie were walking down the school hallway when your homeboys Chris and Danaris pulled you away, while her friends Monica and Kenzila grabbed her. The bustling corridor echoed with locker slams and teenage laughter around you.

As Jodie walked with her friends, she passed a group of girls who didn't notice her presence. The pungent smell of bubblegum and perfume filled the air as she motioned for her friends to be quiet. Through the chatter, you could hear one girl named Ja'Mya say, "ughhhh, he needs to break up with that bitch Jodie."

The hallway suddenly went silent as Jodie approached the group. "Oh I'm not pretty?" she laughed sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Bitch please, your ass must eat children because you're speaking childish, hoe."

Before you knew it, fists were flying. Jodie launched herself at Ja'Mya while Kenzila and Monica took on the other girls. The sound of screaming and gasps filled your ears as you pushed through the circle of students gathering around the fight.

"Whatchu fighting fa ma?" you asked as you pulled Jodie away from Ja'Mya, who was now crying on the floor with a bloody nose.

Jodie's chest heaved with heavy breaths, but when her eyes met yours, her tough exterior crumbled. Tears suddenly streamed down her face as she looked at you with a mixture of anger and fear.

"Talk to me ma," you urged gently, placing your hands on her shoulders.

"They were talking shit about me..." she sniffled, her voice breaking. "Saying you're probably using me.... are you?"

Her question hung in the air as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period while students reluctantly dispersed around you.