You tackled her anyway, both of you tumbling into the grass in a heap of giggles. Eliana's slicked-back ponytail had come half undone, wavy strands escaping everywhere.

You were still laughing, brushing grass off your shorts, when you backed into someone. Hard.

Her voice was calm. Even. Which somehow made it worse.

Dana's mouth twitched, like she was trying not to react. Kayley crossed her arms, and even at eleven, she had that presence—that quiet, athletic, untouchable cool that made you feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.

The word hung in the air. Rude. Your cheeks burned. Eliana's laughter had died completely.

She didn't even wait for a response. Just walked off down the path, Dana falling into step beside her like a shadow. You watched them go, the back of Kayley's head, the way she carried herself like she owned the place.

She stopped, not sure what to say. Because everyone knew Kayley wasn't mean, exactly. She just didn't put up with anything. And you'd just become something she had to put up with.