He nods, gently pushing my hair off my clammy neck.
After a moment, my legs become solid enough to hold myself up again. But he keeps his hand locked on my waist, and I’m grateful.
“I just ... I don’t—” I glance back at my locker. “Who would do this?” I whisper.
A muscle in his jaw twitches, and he grits, “I’ve got a pretty good idea.”
“Oh, my god.” I recognize Amber’s voice, but Joshua has my attention locked on him in a tangible grip.
“What—ugh, gross,” Kimmie says, suddenly beside me. “What the hell?” Her tone is nasally, like she’s plugging her nose.
Joshua’s nostrils flare, and I wouldn’t be surprised if actual steam blew out of them any second. “Where is she?”
“What? Who?” Kimmie scoffs.
“Tiff, of course,” Amber says. “Don’t you remember the kind of stunts she pulled last year? That last one with Mrs. Applebee should’ve gotten her dumb ass expelled.”
A familiar giggle makes its way to my ears, getting louder as footsteps approach.
“Oh. My.God,” Tiffany exclaims, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “This is amazing.” When everyone freezes and the hallway grows silent, she adds, “I mean, whoever did this is totally sick, of course, but you have to admire the creativity behind the idea, right?”
A swallow sticks in my throat. The rotten smell grows more overwhelming by the second, and I can taste the bile trying to work its way up.
“Are youseriousright now, Tiff?” Kimmie practically shouts, but I’m more focused on Joshua’s eyes flashing in a way that sends a chill down my spine.
His entire body goes hard as stone, and he looks like he’s about to punch something. He exhales through his nose, then his thumb strokes the side of my jaw. “You’re okay ...” It’s a statement, but he raises an eyebrow like he needs me to confirm it.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
He watches as I take a long breath, pushing my shoulders back. When I look more put together than I feel, he gives a slight nod and rasps, “Stay here.”
“What are you—?”
But he’s already stalking toward Tiff. “What the hell did I tell you?” He backs her against a locker without even lifting a finger.
Her eyes go wide. “It could have been anyone,” she bites out as if she’s unaffected, but her breath is shaky.
“Are you really so damn insecure?” Joshua breathes down her neck. “Who helped you?”
“W-what?”
The bell rings, and students reluctantly disperse. Amber shakes her head, backing away and muttering, “I’m out.”
“No one! I didn’t do anything!”
“Lie to me one more time,” he warns so quietly I hardly hear it.
“I-I ...” Her eyes dart around wildly, from me to Kimmie then Cory, who must have shown up when I wasn’t paying attention. It stops on him, and she briefly closes her eyes. “Okay,” she huffs. “Okay, fine. But remember, you can’t hurt me, I’m a girl.”
Joshua’s face twists in disgust. “Jesus, I’m not gonna hit you. But you are gonna own the fuck up.”
She trembles against the locker, and my pulse races as I take a slow step closer. I’m still shaken, but the initial shock is wearing off enough for me to think clearly.
“Joshua ...” I say quietly. “It’s okay.”
He doesn’t look at me, but he does pause.
“I’m sure she won’t do it again.” I look at Tiff, my gaze hardening slightly. “Right?”
