Brooke's Pov

Principal Stan didn't do shit. I knew it the second Mike limped through the front door that same evening sporting fresh bruises.

He walked past me, slumping heavily on the couch, ugly crying, loud sobs filling the air. "Mom....they....they took my bike. And they said to tell you next time was gonna be worse. I'm tired, Mom."

I walked over to him, joining him on the couch, wrapping my arms tight around him. He said they were at the lake and cornered him and hit him.

Whispering apologies in his ears, trying to keep my anger in check, he soon fell asleep. When he was out, I headed...