The fight ended, but the dark mood lingered. Another bout was starting, but everyone felt antsy in the basement. When the pizzas arrived, they seized their chance to escape and went to eat in the back yard.

The moon had vanished behind a bank of clouds, and it was cold, but no one seemed to mind. There was still a sheen of water on the patio furniture, so they stood around the table holding slices folded into Vs and teased each other.

Jennette wouldn’t eat hers until she dabbed at it with a wad of napkins to sop up the grease. Freya saw Dan eyeing her with that animated look he got before he launched into a joke. Brad noticed, too, and he slid his head between Dan and Jennette and shook his head, mouthing, “NO.”

Dan’s bottom lip was tight, locking in whatever dumb thing he’d meant to say. Freya giggled, and Dan grinned at her and shrugged. The others didn’t notice the exchange. It was something just between them.

Tate asked Riley about the band patches on her jean jacket. She was eighteen and went to every punk rock show that came within a hundred miles of Sillas. Cameron, Radomir, and Jennette talked about the fall dance. Jennette kept looking over hopefully at Radomir, but he was oblivious.

Freya was so glad she wasn’t tangled up in anything romantic. It was interesting to watch from the outside, but she remembered the awful churning uncertainty she’d felt about Peter Berl last year during No Exit.

There was a moment where no one spoke to Freya, and she could just take it all in. Everyone was illuminated in the golden glow of the exterior lights. Wind whistled through the bare branches of the forest behind the yard, but the cold couldn’t touch her. She was struck by how much she liked being around these people. Everyone had been so nice to her.

Freya couldn’t believe she’d almost gone home and spent the night reading alone. The thought reminded her of The Fragile Phoenix, and she was sure Dan hadn’t had a chance to look at it. He would have cracked a joke by now. As Freya turned to look at him, a crescent of light swept through the trees behind him. On the other side of the house, the roar of an engine being gunned sounded as a car shot up the driveway.

“Someone’s here,” Freya said.

“Shit, is that your dad?” Jennette asked. Suddenly, there was tension in the group. Everyone seemed afraid they were about to get rousted.

“Not a chance, he’s in Munich. Maybe someone called the police about Claire?” Brad offered.

“Maybe it is Claire,” Cameron said.

Dan rubbed the back of his head. Freya had noticed he did that whenever he felt uncomfortable. There were voices from around the house, and a shadow slipped into the back yard, peering around uncertainly.

“Oh, shit, is that Rigo?” Cam called out, and Rodrigo Dawson yelled back “Ey, Camarón!”

Rigo sprinted across the wet lawn to clasp hands with Cam. They had been friends since grade school, both on the wrestling team. “What are you doing here, man?” Cam asked, and Rigo shrugged.

“I’m just along for the ride.” Rigo grinned. It was practically a catchphrase. Rigo was well-liked at Grayson, he was in perpetually high spirits because he was perpetually high.

Another newcomer was rounding the house, a little unsteady on their feet. Freya was surprised to see it was Jane Yang.

“Hey, is Claire here? This is the party, right?” Jane asked, not noticing Freya. It was weird, but then Freya noticed Jane wasn’t wearing her glasses. Her eyes seemed very small without them.

“Uh… no?” Brad said. “Claire left like an hour ago. Sorry.”

“Oh! She didn’t text me,” Jane said, seeming a little out of it. Freya wondered if she’d been crying, her eyes red. She decided to pop up and surprise Jane. She could find out what was wrong and cheer her up.

“What’s good, everybody?” a new voice called out from behind Jane. Freya froze. She’d been about to spring up on Jane, but now she wanted to run in the opposite direction.

Malcolm Lewis stepped out of the shadows to stand beside Jane and Rigo. He was almost two feet taller than Jane. An opened thirty-pack of Coors Light dangled from his hand, and he had a big smile.

Everyone turned to stare. As the conversations died, the distant voices of announcers boomed from the speakers in the basement. Malcolm squinted in confusion, then he noticed Freya. His smile became a look of disgust. Only Jane seemed oblivious to the dead air.

“Oh! Shit, Freya, what are you doing here?” Jane asked. She didn’t seem thrilled to see her. Now that Jane was closer, Freya smelled the pot smoke clinging to her.

“I’m in the class,” Freya reminded Jane. If Jane wasn’t going to say hi to her, she wasn’t going to say hi to Jane.

“Oh, right, Crab Maga. Claire told me you were taking it. How is it?”

“Fun,” Freya replied. Behind her she could hear Dan and Cameron snickering.

“That’s so cool. I was thinking about trying it.”

There was strain in her voice. Jane looked over at Dan, hoping for approval but, instead, she found everyone was staring at her. Freya felt sympathy, but why was Jane here with Malcolm?

“Yo, is there pizza? I can throw five on it,” Rigo asked, producing a taped-up five-dollar bill.

“Look at this man with his busted-ass money. Put it away, Rigo, we got plenty. What kind you want?” Cameron popped open the lid on the pizza with pepperoni and black olives.

“Whatever, man. It’s all good,” Rigo said. He joined up with Cam and took a slice. It broke the tension, and everyone seemed relieved. Except for Freya.

It had all been going so well but, of course, everything had fallen apart. She didn’t want to be here anymore. Malcolm still stared at her. Freya turned around and took a few steps away from the group towards the woods, pulling out her phone.

“Is everything cool?” Brad asked, approaching from the side.

“Sure, everything’s fine. It’s getting late. I have to get home.”

“You’ll miss the main event! It’s supposed to be good,” Brad angled. Freya wondered why he was trying to keep her there. She’d already made one person leave.

“Ah, I’m sorry to miss it. I had a really good time. Thank you for having me over.”

“You’re welcome. Anytime! Thank you for bringing food,” Brad said.

She tried calling the cab, but it went to voicemail. She hung up to try again.

“Woah. Hold up. Is she calling the police?” Malcolm called out from behind her. Again, everything came to a halt. Rigo turned to Malcolm with his mouth full of pizza, looking exasperated.

“What are you talking about?” Brad asked.

“That girl is crazy as fuck. I got suspended for three days because of her. Then she lied to the police about me.”

Freya clenched her phone, the other curled into a fist.

“He’s lying. He got suspended because he was on camera with three other people who jumped me for no reason,” Freya shot back. Her stomach began to hurt. She was afraid he would tell everyone about the weird thing at the river.

“Nah, that’s not it. She pretended to be hurt to get us all in trouble. Everyone knows she’s insane.”

“That is complete bullshit. I dumped this guy, and he’s been following me around ever since. He’s a creep.”

“No one is following you! Why would I expect you to be at a party? You don’t have any friends!”

“I’m leaving anyway. Don’t talk to me,” Freya shot back.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Malcolm?” Jennette demanded.

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“C’mon, man. Chill out Mal, we’re guests here,” Rigo said, holding his hands up. There was a line of marinara sauce on the heel of his right palm.

But Malcolm wouldn’t drop it. He looked around at everyone, getting agitated when no one seemed to hop on his side.

“Why is she even here?” he asked.

“She was invited. Why are you here?” Brad answered. He walked up to confront Malcolm, who was tall enough Brad had to crane his neck.

“I was invited, too.”

“I didn’t invite you,” Brad retorted.

“Claire did.”

“Okay. It’s my house. Leave.”

“The fuck is your problem?” Malcolm asked. He was getting in Brad’s face, but Brad didn’t flinch.

“There’s trash on my lawn,” Brad shot back, balling his fists. In about two seconds, one of them was going to throw a punch, and Brad was going to get annihilated. Before it could happen, Rigo rushed up to grab Malcolm by the arm. The cardboard handle of the beer case ripped, and cans spilled onto the lawn.

“Yooo! Sorry, everybody. We are leaving! Malcolm is way too high. Thanks for the pizza and sorry to intrude.”

“Get off me, man!” Malcolm’s voice rose sharply. Freya realized she should have been calling the police all along.

“You’re being an asshole. Stop it!” Jane spoke up. She was about to cry. Malcolm tried to twist free from Rodrigo’s grip, but Rigo had his arm locked up. Brad took the opportunity to step back.

“That’s right! Run away, pussy!” Malcolm shouted after him.

Dan Gregulus stepped in between the two of them, his arms outstretched like a referee.

“Enough! We’re missing real fights for this amateur shit. Malcolm, why don’t you jet? This isn’t your kind of party.”

Disappointment crossed Malcolm’s face. He hadn’t come here for this. Rigo was still locked on his arm, and Jane fumed at him. Dan bent down and picked up the wounded thirty-pack, holding it out to Malcolm.

“Here, no hard feelings.”

Malcolm hesitated a moment, then he slapped the case to the ground with his free hand.

“Why don’t you fucking make me, Gregulus?” Malcolm strained again to get free, but Rigo wasn’t letting go.

“Okay,” Dan replied. He shifted his stance.

Malcolm hadn’t expected that. He stopped struggling, sizing Dan up. A moment passed, and when Malcolm made no move, Dan shrugged and turned to Freya.

“I can just give you a ride home. Fuck this guy,” Dan said, turning his back on Malcolm.

“That’s right! Run off you white-knighting faggot! You’re lucky we’re not alone!”

Dan turned back to him.

“Let’s go right now. Let him go, Rigo,” Dan said. Freya couldn’t understand how Dan was so calm. Malcolm was a lot bigger than him.

“Nah, let’s not, okay? These dudes are MMA and shit. C’mon, fool.”

“Let me go, pussy! I’ll fuck him up!” Malcolm spat. Rodrigo blanched at the words, but he kept trying to haul Malcolm away.

“Hey, Rigo! Cut this idiot loose,” Cam called out.

Rodrigo let go so suddenly Malcolm stumbled towards Dan.

“You ready?” Dan asked, putting his hands up. Malcolm looked back at Rigo. Now that no one was holding him back, he didn’t look so eager anymore.

“Fuck off. You’ll probably all gang up on me.”

“Just me. You ready?” Dan extended a fist as if they were about to touch gloves in a bout.

“I’m not stupid,” Malcolm shot back. He didn’t put his hands up.

“Debatable!” Tate called out from the back. Closer to the fight, Radomir laughed a single loud, “Ha!”

“Shut the fuck up, Fagomir,” Malcolm fired at him.

“Пошёл На Хуй!” Radomir shot back, in the heat of the moment, he’d reverted to Russian.

Freya’s eyes widened. She knew what he’d said. When Radomir saw Malcolm looking confused, he tried again in English.

“Go onto a cock! Take your beating, coward.”

Cameron started laughing first, and Tate followed. It infected everyone but Dan and Malcolm. Radomir had spoken seriously but sounded so ridiculous. Freya couldn’t help but laugh and, after a moment, even Dan was cracking up.

Surrounded by laughter, with Dan standing in front of him ready to fight, Malcolm seemed to finally realize he was on his own. His eyes shot around in the yellow light, looking for a way to save face. At last, he abandoned the broken case of beer and walked away without another word.

Cameron and Tate were still laughing as Malcolm vanished into the darkness, and Dan gave a Bras d’honneur at the retreat.

“And still undefeated!” Cameron called out, lifting Dan’s arm like a champion. Malcolm’s engine revved as he peeled out of the driveway. Inside the house, the announcers roared. Something big happened in the final round. The excitement died away, and everyone was suddenly staring at Jane Yang.

“I’m so sorry, Freya,” Jane said.

Freya stared at her and shrugged. She had nothing nice to say. All she had to do was say it was okay and hug Jane to fix everything, but she didn’t. Jane turned away from the group and cried.

Everyone looked around, uncertain and uncomfortable. Radomir’s eyes met Freya’s. Once, they would have both rushed over to comfort Jane, but it wasn’t like that anymore. Freya felt a mixture of confusion and guilt. She should have relented. But why was Jane hanging out with Malcolm? She was probably fucking him.

“Well, shit. We can, uh, call a taxi I guess?” Rigo said, trying to break up the awkwardness. “Sorry about that dude. His family is REAL messed up.”

“C’mon, Rigo. That guy’s just an asshole. Why do you hang out with him? You can do better,” Cam chided.

“Ahhh, he’s my teammate, you know? I never seen him act the fool like this before. Plus, he’s got wheels.”

“How’s that working out for you?” Cam tilted his head in the direction of the driveway.

“Not so good at present?” Rigo shrugged at the situation. He didn’t seem too put out.

“Hey, Brad, can this dumbass stay and watch the fight with us?” Cam asked.

“Ya, sure, I don’t care. You can both stay. I just meant Malcolm, with the whole trash on my lawn thing. Not you guys,” Brad clarified. “Do you two want some more pizza?”

“Oh, no doubt. Thank you!” Rigo happily took another slice. Jane turned around and apologized to everyone again, not meeting Freya’s eyes. She snuffled and took a slice, too.

She’s getting fat, Freya thought uncharitably, and then she wondered why she was being so mean. Freya had eaten two slices herself, and she planned on eating another once everyone else caught up. When Jane had turned away and cried, she’d almost been glad. It was a terrible way to feel. It was a Lassa way to feel.

She wondered if she ought to just go home anyway. Everything was awkward and weird now, and it was all because of her. She felt the Starball in her pocket. Did it only seem warmer because it was cold out?

Freya realized the thing with Malcolm would be much worse after this. Word of what had happened would be everywhere at school, and he would be furious. She wondered if she should try and get a restraining order against him, but he hadn’t done anything she could prove. She wished he would just disappear, and her thoughts went again to the black case in Lassa’s closet.

The others were gathering the pizza boxes and cans of Coors Light and headed back into the house. Dan lingered behind. They were the last ones left outside.

“You coming?” he joked, and she nodded, feeling like she ought to say something.

“Hey, thank you for that. I wish I was big enough to fight him.”

“I’m not even sure I’m big enough,” Dan said with his hand on the back of his head. “He has forty pounds on me. Kind of glad he chickened out.”

“Take your beating, coward!” Freya did a good impression of Radomir.

“Haha, that’s him. Perfect. Do you know what he said before that?”

“It was the same thing. Go onto a dick is like the Russian version of go fuck yourself,” she explained. “Radomir says Russian is the best language in the world to curse in.”

“Haha, what. Radomir is crazy. I’m surprised he came out. Jennette wanted me to invite him but, uh, I mean, you know him. There’s no way, right?”

“There’s no way,” Freya shook her head.

“Is he into guys then?”

“I don’t think he’s into anyone. All he cares about is dancing. I’m surprised he could even come out. Usually, he’s away for the weekends studying.”

“Yeah, he said this was his one weekend off for the month. Wild. Seems like he’s having a good time at least.”

“Wait, is that why you invited me here?” Freya asked, suddenly worried they were trying to fix her up with Tate or something.

“No! I just, you know, you’re in the class with us. You’re cool. I would have invited you on Wednesday, but you were with Vitko afterward.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sorry for driving everyone away.”

“That’s not your fault. I don’t know what’s up with Claire. She’s been weird like this all month with me.”

“Oh,” Freya began. She wasn’t sure if she should go on. Dan gave her a look, and she felt like she had to tell him.

“Well, I don’t know this for sure, but I think Jane likes you, and I think Claire likes Jane. That’s just a guess. Please, don’t tell them you heard that from me.”

“Oh! No! There’s no way,” Dan said. “I mean, shit, that sounds mean. I’m just not…you know. That’s not happening,” he concluded.

Freya was surprised at how relieved she felt.

“That sorta explains the Claire thing,” Dan continued. “I don’t know why she didn’t just ask me about it. Thanks for telling me.”

“Yeah, no problem. Thanks for inviting me. Everyone is really cool. I think I might go home, though,” Freya said, making the decision mid-sentence.

“Oh, really? I’d kinda like to, uh, not deal with the whole Jane thing. Do you want a ride home? I wanted to talk with you about your book.”

Freya felt like the ground crumbled beneath her feet.

“Oh. You looked at it,” Freya said, her eyes on the grass. Why the hell had she lied to him at the diner?”

“Ha, way more than just looked at. I’ve read The Fragile Phoenix about three times. I’ve been seeing Dr. G for years.”

“What?” Freya blinked. “How? You’re so together.”

“I didn’t use to be. I’d like to talk with you about it if you want to.”

It took a moment to process. Her impulse was to refuse but, as she considered the idea, she really wanted to talk with him about therapy.

“Yeah, we could do that,” Freya said, and when he smiled at her, it cut right through her. She would never have suspected. She remembered the grocery bag full of library books in Brad’s front hallway.

“Oh! I have to get my bag from inside anyway. Do you want to just catch the last two fights then go?”

“Yeah, totally. Just, uh, help me fend off Jane, please.”

“Just use your Crab Maga to defend yourself,” Freya said. They laughed as they walked inside together.