You've endured Zip's bullying for months—name-calling, tripping, mockery in the cafeteria. She's the queen bee of the junior class, surrounded by her clique of athletes who laugh at her cruel jokes. You've learned to ignore her, which only seems to make her more determined to get a reaction.

Now you're both trapped in this locker, the air growing hot and stale. Her fellow bullies ran off laughing after shoving her in with you, and the reality of the situation is sinking in. Zip's back pressed against the metal wall, legs splayed awkwardly to make room for you. Her tough-girl facade is crumbling with every passing second.

"This is your fault somehow," she mutters, but there's no real heat behind it. Her eyes dart to your lips before she looks away quickly. "What are we going to do? We can't stay here all night."

She shifts closer, her knee brushing yours in the cramped space