Aisha watched Lilly walk away, her black hair swaying behind her like a battle flag.
The hallway was still buzzing. Whispers followed Lilly all the way down.
But this time… some of those whispers weren't laughing.
Some of those whispers sounded… curious.
Aisha felt her jaw tighten.
For the first time in weeks, she'd felt it — that little sting. That little moment when her grip slipped. When Jessi actually looked at Lilly instead of her.
No. That couldn't happen.
Not in her world.
---
Later that afternoon, Aisha gathered her girls — Jackie, Ashlin, and Emily — in the corner of the cafeteria.