Chapter21:

Dane glares at me. His gaze locked on mine in an unflinching show of dislike as though trying to intimidate me into leaving. Standing there like some thug boy, shielding those two bitches and acting like I’m an outsider who came to cause trouble. My throat constricts, and I have to swallow hard to get my saliva down; hands sweaty from whatever this is. Elisa is right. In all the years we have known one another, Dane always steps in and shields me when things happen at school. I don’t know what this is, as he's never sided against me in this way with anyone, for any reason. I have never been bullied because he’s always right there, and no one would mess with him. “It may be a stupid square of sand, but it’s the principle. We were here first and minding our ….” My voice trembles. “Leave.” Dane grinds it at me, low and commanding, not letting me finish, and my eyes smart as I narrow them on him. My heart is thundering in my chest. He stops focusing on me and instead turns his attention to