cw: mentions of assault, blood, revenge porn, and the 2014 iCloud leak

Chapter XII

"Jesus Christ, Abby, what happened to you," Maeve asks as Abby walks into school.

Abby has a large tear in the knee of her jeans and a very big scrape showing through it. "Don't text and board is what I learned today," she says. "Did you see the vagina photo? Honestly, I'm just freaked that whoever the blackmailer is has my phone number."

"Yeah, about that," Maeve says. "Look, I know whose it is. The vagina."

"Woah," Abby says, raising her eyebrows. "But what about Jackson?"

"This isn't time for your twisted sense of humor, Abby," Maeve says.

"I mean, twisted, sexy..."

"ABBY!"

"Okay, okay," Abby says. "But isn't this kind of thing more Otis' territory?"

"Look, the victim feels...uncomfortable with having a male involved. She specifically asked for you."

Abby looks around and leans toward Maeve. "Who is it," she whispers.

"...Ruby Matthews."

Abby bites her lips and texts Maeve her next thought.

Abby: There is no way in FUCK Ruby asked for me, unless she's planning to frame me in some way. Either she wants people to think it's my vagina, or worse, that I'm the kind of fucking deviant who'd use revenge porn against someone.

"Obviously," Abby continues. "I can't say all of this out loud in the hallway. Shall we take this conversation to the asbestos bathrooms?"

"Okay," Maeve says. "But...are you in? Otis has plans."

"Ah! That's it, isn't it? And, hey, technically, I have plans. It's the last night of the haunted house."

"You can miss that," Maeve says. "It's Eric's birthday."

Abby looks shocked as they walk back outside. "Why the FUCK wouldn't Otis tell me it's Eric's birthday? I don't expect to be included in their plans, but I would have liked to been able to buy Eric a present or a cupcake or something nice."

"They're going to see the gay version of Rocky Horror Picture Show or something," Maeve says. "I looked it up, and I saw the words 'movie musical' and 'costumes.' Sounds like a raucous nerd evening."

"Okay, first of all, Maeve, Rocky Horror Picture Show is the gay version of itself, so if you wanted me to stay on topic, that was an awful summary," Abby says. "Secondly, I'm assuming it's Hedwig and the Angry Inch, to which I say good for them, they deserve a nice night out. Third, all that being said, why wouldn't you just handle all this yourself instead inviting the weakest link into this dilemma?"

"Look," Maeve says as soon as they reach the restrooms. "Ruby says she sent the photo to one guy: Warhammer Tom. And Tom is absolutely terrified of you. So you're uniquely suited for this."

"Terrified of me," Abby repeats. "Why? Because I shoved him once?"

"And because you're not afraid of Ruby," Maeve says. "Which is upsettingly rare amongst the lemmings of this school."

"Okay, so let's say we do this," Abby says. "Which you know I will. You are very much going to have to stop me from choking whoever the little revenge pest is. Are you sure you're up to..."

Maeve grabs Abby by the ear and pulls down on the lobe. She leans up to her ear and whispers, "Remember the hatchet?"

"Yeah, you're up to holding me back," Abby says. "So, let's do this."

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The first thing the duo do is update Ruby on the situation.

"Oh, not this bitch," Ruby says as soon as Abby walks into the hallway.

"Hey," Abby says. "You're not in the position to say that. You should be fucking grateful I've decided to help you."

"I wanted the spooky sex kid, not you," Ruby says.

"Well, he has plans," Abby says. "So you can't always get what you want. Also, say some fucked shit about my boyfriend again and...well, I'll still help you, but once this little mystery is solved, I might throw something a lot harder than a drink, bitch."

Maeve elbows Abby in the side.

"Look, what may or may not go down after we figure this shit out is a conversation for another day..."

"Besides, you're the one who kissed Tom after I just dumped him, you slag," Ruby says.

"His dumb ass kissed me, so be angry at him," Abby says. "Channel that anger. I know I will if it turns out he's the one fucking with you."

"Please," Ruby scoffs. "You're a bookworm wearing an S Club 7 shirt who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet."

"And yet he's still afraid of me," Abby says. "And he's afraid of you, too. So If you'd stop sniping at me and let me help, the combined threat will probably make him piss his pants."

Ruby tosses her hair and shrugs. "I do like that idea," she admits. "Fine. You can help. Just don't think this makes us friends."

Abby nods. "Fine by me."

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"Okay, your ability to bring out a crazy-bitch side is something I'll never get used to," Maeve says as they walk toward one of the RPG club's lunchtime meetings.

"It comes from years and years of repressed anger, and an upsettingly early exposure to reality television," Abby says. "I only discovered it two years ago."

"Well, it's actually useful in this scenario," Maeve says. "Can you pull it out again for Tom?"

"Can I? Try and stop..."

Maeve pinches Abby's elbow. "Okay, okay, ow! I'll try to keep it reined in, I'm sorry!"

"Good, because here they are."

Abby slams the door to the clubroom open. "Tom Baker, you piece of crap, pull down that hoodie and come talk to us," Abby says.

"What mortals enter our domain," Tom says in a modulated tone. "Who doth interrupt our game of Runes of Dunbar?"

"We...doth," Abby says.

"We need to speak to you," Maeve adds. "Privately."

Tom chuckles in a sinister manner that's ruined by the fluorescent lighting. "We are a fellowship," he declares. "We hide nothing from one another." Maeve stares at the gameboard, picks up a cardboard piece, throws it down on the ground, and stomps on it as Abby grins.

"No! What is wrong with you," Tom cries out.

"Fantasy's over, Tommy boy. It's time for a reality check," Abby says. "Or...my friend Maeve can press the Doc Marten imprint into all your precious characters. Your choice."

"It's important, Tom," Maeve says. "Please?"

"Okay," he grumbles, pulling down his hood and following them into the hall.

As soon as they go out into the hallway, Maeve slams Tom up against the lockers.

"True or false: you're the piece of shit who sent out those photos of Ruby," Abby asks.

"False," Tom says. "I-I didn't send that photo. I would never do anything to hurt her."

"Oh, except kissing me to make her jealous," Abby points out. "Which, by the way, I was not a willing participant in."

"You do that a lot," Maeve asks. "Touching girls without consent?"

"I'm sorry," Tom whines. "I was just really drunk, and after you shoved me, I'll never do something like that again, because it's wrong."

"Damn right you won't," Abby says. "Because if you do, I grind your balls into a fine powder, dipshit."

"Now, prove you didn't send out the photo," Maeve barks. "Give us your phone."

"I don't have one," Tom protests.

"Oh, bullshit," Abby says. "Hand it over."

"I don't," Tom says. "Did you know that they can emit radiation, and that radiation can cause a cancer of the balls?"

"And what," Abby says. "You talk into your phone with your balls?"

"I don't want mutant sperm," Tom says. "Check if you like."

Maeve pats him down and pulls away frustrated once it becomes clear he has no phone on him. "If it wasn't you, then who was it," she asks.

"Ruby and I dated for a week," Tom begins. "It was like a dream."

"Sounds like a nightmare to me," Abby mutters.

"But then she dumped me for Glen Jacobs," he goes on. "And then she dumped him when he wore the wrong socks to school."

"Get to the point," Abby says.

"Remember that topless photo of Tia Hobbs that went around," Tom says.

"Yeah," Maeve replies.

"Well," Tom continues. "Tia used to go out with Glen, and he called in sick today. Coincidence? I think not."

Maeve and Abby exchange a brief look before nodding.

"We'll check it out," Abby says. "But you'd better not be lying, or else there will be hell to pay."

They walk off and head down the hall. "So what now," Abby asks. "Do you know where Glen Jacobs lives?"

"No," Maeve says. "But I think I know who might."

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"Aimee," Maeve calls out as she and Abby run to catch up with her. Aimee stops and slows down as they walk down the hall.

"You know Glen Jacobs, right," Maeve asks. "Where does he live?"

"Uh, in his parents' garage," Aimee says. "There's loads of beanbags in it."

"Okay," Abby says. "So where is it?"

"Oh, I don't know," Aimee replies. "I just sort of arrive places."

Maeve's phone dings and she looks down to see a text from Jackson.

"What would you wear to meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time," Maeve asks.

"Whatever you do," Aimee says. "Do not dress like you."

"What's wrong with it," Abby asks.

"You wouldn't get it, your parents are cool," Aimee says. "My brother brought a girl home once. She wore a Nine Inch Nails T-shirt, and my mum thought she worshipped Satan."

"Oh," Abby says as Maeve nods along.

"Also, she did a massive shit in the toilet, and my dad had to break it up with a stick," Aimee goes on. "So don't do that either, 'cos first impressions count. Good luck!"

With that, Aimee heads off in the other direction. "It's not...that big of a deal, right?"

"It is," Abby says. "I would probably kill myself before I'd poo at Otis' house. Hell, if he's at mine and I have to go, I come up with an excuse to make him wear headphones while I use the downstairs toilet."

"And what if you're at his," Maeve asks, looking amused.

"I come up with something I really want to show him that's in my room, run to my house to get it, and then come back," Abby says. "I just have to remember to grab something once I'm done."

"By the way, I was asking about the clothes thing, but thanks for the valuable information on bowel movements," Maeve says, smirking.

Abby shoves Maeve lightly. "You...tosser," Abby squeals.

"It's even funnier now that you say that," Maeve says. "'Tosser' sounds so funny coming from an American."

"Glad I could give you a laugh," Abby says, pretending to be annoyed.

"I probably shouldn't tell Jackson's parents he's my piss baby either, right?"

"Choke on rice."

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Abby is about halfway to St. Agnes' when her phone rings.

"Abby, where are you and how fast do you think you can get to Clayhill Bridge," Otis says.

"By foot and regarding traffic laws, about three minutes. But if I say 'Fuck the lights' and hop on my board, I can cut that down to one," she says.

"Okay, so you know how Tom told you he didn't have a phone," Otis says. "Well, that was a lie. I'm on my way to the bus stop, but I'll stop him if I have to."

"Don't," Abby says. "Just text Maeve and tell her I'm on my way."

Abby hops onto her board and weaves through traffic. At one point, she almost gets hit by a car, and a bearded man pokes his head out and yells, "Watch where you're going, you lanky twat," but she ignores him.

Once she gets to the underside of the bridge, she sees someone with blonde hair and a denim miniskirt chasing a crawling Tom.

She runs up to see Otis questioning Tom. "Tom," she overhears. "Why did you throw your phone in the bush? You said you didn't have a phone?"

"How did you know..."

"Because Maeve and I told him, asshole," Abby says, causing Tom to look up and scream.

"Don't hurt me," he insists.

Abby tsks. "I told you if you lied, there'd be hell to pay, didn't I," she says. "Now get up and face me like an adult, shithead."

Tom reluctantly crawls to his feet. "Okay, I lied," he admits. "I knew it looked bad, so I made up the Glen Jacobs thing. I didn't send that photo to everyone. Honestly."

"It's not looking good," Otis says, shaking his head.

"In fact, things are looking pretty fucking bad for your testicles," Abby says. "So tell the truth. Now."

"I just sent it to one other guy because he didn't believe I had sex with Ruby," Tom explains. "And...and also I was mad she said I smell like crisps."

"That's not an excuse," Otis says. "Who did you send it to?"

"Kyle. No one else."

Otis' ringtone goes off and he picks up.

"Dude, where are you," Eric asks. Abby's eyes widen.

"Oh crap, are you late," she asks, and Otis nods. She hands him her skateboard.

"Go," she says. "You'll get it back to me."

"I can't use this thing," Otis protests.

"What's going on," Eric says over the phone. "You better alacazam yourself here now because the bus is here."

Otis turns to Abby, concerned. "Go," she insists, and he takes off running.

At the same time, Eric steps onto the bus. "Uh, could you wait one second," he asks the bus driver. "My friend..."

"That was one second," the driver says, taking off and leaving Otis in the dust.

Otis collapses on the bench at the bus stop and Abby sits down next to him. "I'm sorry," she says.

Maeve walks up, looking around. "Good," she says. "You're both here. Where's Tom?"

Otis raises his eyebrows at Maeve's floral dress. "Why are you dressed weird," he asks.

"Why are you dressed like that," Maeve shoots back.

"I'm supposed to be seeing Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Eric, but I missed the bus chasing after Tom." Otis sighs. "He sent the photo to Kyle, by the way."

"Alright, Abby," Maeve says. "We'll go talk to Kyle then."

"Okay," Abby says, before looking back at Otis. "They have Uber around here, right?"

"Yeah," Otis says, looking confused.

"I'll order you one," Abby says. "That way you won't have to wait the whole hour."

"No," Otis says. "You can't..."

"Too late," Abby says. "I already did. So unless you want me to pay a cancellation fee and get a one star rating, you'll take it. Tell Eric it's my present to him."

"...Alright," Otis says. "But only because of the rating thing."

"How sweet," Maeve says flatly. "A piss baby and a sugar mommy."

"Oh, fuck off," Otis says, looking at Abby. "She knows about that?"

"Did you tell Eric?"

"Touché."

"Let's go," Maeve says, "while daylight is still on our side."

"Okay," Abby says, biting her lip and looking Otis up and down. "Nice skirt, by the way. Very sexy."

He blushes as she gives him a quick kiss. "And now I know what happened to my watermelon lip gloss," she says. "I'll see you later."

"Come on," Maeve says. "Before I become diabetic."

"Oh, one more thing," Abby says, reaching into her Smurfs thermos and handing Otis her mace. "As someone with a bit more experience being a tall blonde girl, you might need this tonight."

"I'll be fine," Otis says.

"Take it," Abby says. "There's a low risk something could go wrong, but it's not zero. So take the spray, or else I'll be worried sick."

"Okay," Otis says, grinning.

Abby hops off the bench and waves to Otis as she catches up to Maeve. "So where are we going," she asks.

"Aimee's study group."

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"What the actual fuck," Anwar says to Abby and Maeve upon opening the door.

"We're here to talk to Kyle," Maeve says.

"Why?"

"None of your business."

"And you brought Horny Hammond because?"

"That's a new one," Abby says in surprise. "Much more clever than..."

"Aimee, Cockbiter's here," Anwar calls out.

Aimee comes out from around the corner. "What do you guys want," she asks. "By the way, Maeve, nice dress."

"Thank you."

"How did it go with Jackson's parents?"

"Crap, that was tonight," Abby gasps. "Maeve, I'm so sorr..."

"Not great," Maeve admits. "I kind of fled. Where's Kyle?"

"Why," Aimee asks, her eyes widening in concern. "Is this a sex thing? Has he got worms or something? Has he given them to me? Am I riddled with worms now?"

"Uh, no worms, not to worry," Abby says. "We just...need to talk to him."

"Okay," Aimee says, letting the two girls in. "Ruby, where's Kyle," she calls out.

Ruby pops out from the side and sneers. "Probably having a whitey in the kitchen. He's so disgusting, Aimee. Honestly."

Maeve and Abby head into the kitchen, following the sounds of Kyle groaning. "I'm sorry I forgot about you meeting Jackson's parents tonight," Abby whispers. "If I remembered, I would have just come on my own."

"Trust me," Maeve whispers back. "You did me a favor."

They approached Kyle's prone, groaning form. "Kyle," Abby says. "We need to talk to you."

"My skin feels like a carpet," he says.

"Oh, fucking great," Abby says to Maeve. "He's that kind of pothead."

"Kyle, did you send out that photo," Maeve asks.

"Tread on me," Kyle groans. "I don't wanna be a carpet."

"If you insist," Abby says, going to step on him. Maeve puts out a hand to stop her.

"Don't, unless you want his puke on you," she advises. With that, Abby steps back.

"We will fuck you up, do you hear me," Maeve says. "You'll wish you were a fucking carpet. Did you send the picture? Yes or no?"

"Please let me step on him," Abby pleads.

"Only his shoulder, alright?"

Abby kicks Kyle's shoulder. "Now," she says. "What can we do to make you talk?"

"Orange juice," he groans.

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"Oh, shit," Abby gasps, ducking behind a rack of crisps.

"What," Maeve asks.

"At the counter," Abby says. "It's the girl who caught me and Otis watching lesbian porn."

Maeve smirks. "You know, just when I think you two are this basic, sickeningly sweet high school couple..."

"You know very well why we did that," Abby hisses.

"Do I," Maeve asks. "I mean, you can't deny that you might flirt..."

"Maeve, if I start flirting with you, you'll know," Abby says. "Which I won't. Mostly because I'm in a relationship. Also, you've seen me flirt with Otis, so you'll know because it'll be piss poor conversation."

"Yeah, to be fair, I'm pretty sure everything you know about flirting comes from Debby Ryan in Radio Rebel," Maeve says.

"Oh, fuck off," Abby says. "Here's the money. You go buy the juice."

"Then again, you're apparently the best sugar momma in the game," Maeve goes on. "Just throwing money at everyone."

"Choke on a pile of salt."

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When Abby and Maeve return to Aimee's with the promised orange juice, they take a moment to let Kyle chug down about a pint. He finally puts down the carton and wipes off his mouth.

"I get sent images all the time," Kyle says. "You know, tits...minges...the occasional butthole."

"And now I don't think I'll ever send a nude in my life," Abby says. "I don't care who asks me for them."

"Kyle, the vagina," Maeve says. "The one sent out this morning. Did you send it?"

"No," he says, looking miffed. "I keep all the pictures for my own personal collection. I'm more of a connoisseur of amateur erotica."

"Okay, and have you not heard of PornHub? RedTube? Websites where amateur content is generally posted that involves consent," Abby points out.

"It's just...dirtier when it's people you know."

"Kyle, that's disgusting," Maeve snaps.

"Yeah, I know," he admits.

As soon as he says that, Ruby bursts into the room. Maeve grabs Kyle's orange juice and tells him, "Okay. Get lost now." He leaves and Ruby looks at Abby and Maeve.

Ruby slams herself down into the couch. "Well, was it him," she asks.

"I don't think so," Maeve tells her.

"Well, we're running out of time," Ruby says snidely. "You two are really shit at helping."

"Look," Abby says. "I know this is really bad. But we're doing the best we can without involving the police. And you asked for our help. Well, I mean, you asked for Maeve's help, and I'm really just a poor substitute for Otis. But we're here, and...look, we don't want your secret revealed anymore than you do."

Olivia comes in and stares at the three girls. "What's going on," she asks.

"My life is over," Ruby groans.

"Why? Rubes, what's wrong," Olivia asks, sitting down next to her.

Ruby swallows. "That minge everyone's been laughing at all day..." she sighs and continues. "It's mine, and I'm fucked. I'm totally fucked."

"You're not," Abby says. "If we can't find out who's doing this, we'll just have to come up with another solution, okay? Something to take the heat off you."

"Like what," Ruby asks.

"It's like the so-called Fappening," Abby goes on. "Remember when all those celebrities got their nudes leaked? I mean, I hate to admit it, but you are sort of like Moordale's Kate Upton. So, I mean, there's options. You could tell people it's photoshopped."

"And you actually think people will believe that," Maeve asks, half sarcastic and half hopeful.

"I mean, yeah," Abby says. "Let's just be honest here: a lot of people hate you, Ruby. No one would be surprised that someone might stage something like this."

"That's a surprisingly competent idea," Ruby says. "But...I mean...I'll still know it's my real vagina, and that everyone's laughing at it."

"Why," Abby says. "Because it's quote-unquote 'ugly'? Because, newsflash here: vaginas are ugly. Genitals are ugly. The only kind people want to look at are in porn, and those have been so surgically altered that they may as well just be dildos and fleshlights. If we all lined up and showed each other our vaginas right now, I don't think we'd want to frame any of them and put them on a wall. Human bodies are weird, and squidgy, and gross in some part for everyone. Did you see Jennifer Lawrence's nudes? Her vagina isn't any better than any one of ours. And you know what? No one stopped thinking she's hot, because the so-called 'beautiful' bodies are fake bullshit. Our bodies, with all the things we're insecure about, are fucking amazing. So remember that."

"Well, of course, you have to tell yourself that," Ruby says, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "You have no tits or arse."

"But that's not the point," Abby continues. "The point is, this is all stuff to remember if we can't stop the reveal, which we are going to do. And even when we stop it, this is some good shit to remember. Besides, whoever this shithead is wants you, and every other girl at school, to be ashamed of their bodies, and we can't let them win. This isn't just about you, Ruby, this is about feminism."

Maeve looks at Abby in awe. "Look, I realize it's not therapeutic, but...she has a point," Maeve says.

"If this is about shame, why wouldn't whoever did this just get it over with," Ruby asks. "This is torture."

"Oh, my God," Maeve says, her eyes widening. "It's a girl."

"Holy shit, it is," Abby says. "It has to be a girl."

"Okay, what girls hate you," Maeve asks.

"It's like Abby said," Ruby says. "All of them. I'm a bitch, Maeve. I'm a bitch to everyone."

"Well, at least you know," Abby says.

"I need to go home," Ruby says. "Olivia, can you call me a taxi? Use my phone."

As Olivia takes Ruby's phone, Abby's eyes widen. "It's you, isn't it," she says, pointing at Olivia. "You have her passcode."

Ruby turns and looks at Olivia, shocked.

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The showing of Hedwig runs late, until after the last bus left. Otis and Eric have only seen the film at home before, and didn't realize how long a theatrical showing with in-house actors in front of the screen would run. So they ended up walking home together in the dark.

A red car drifts up to them, and a voice calls out, "Hello, ladies!"

Eric stiffens as soon as he hears that, and Otis immediately grabs his hand. "Let's just keep walking," he mutters. "Don't look back."

They pick up the pace slightly, and the car speeds up and veers in front of them, blocking the path.

An older man hops out of the vehicle, eying them both up and down as his friend watches. "Oi," the bald one says. "Would you look at that? I think these ladies have something extra downstairs. Why don't you lovelies show us your cocks?"

"Look," Otis says. "We just...we got dressed up to see a movie. Can you let us through?"

"T-this isn't me," Eric protests. "Or him. These are just costumes, alright? We're not..."

The bald man socks Eric in the face before he can finish, as his friend laughs in the background. "Why don't you come here," he coos to Otis. "Don't wanna leave your friend alone, right? Don't you wanna join him?" He saunters toward Otis, who, without hesitation, pulls out the mace Abby gave him and sprays the man in the eyes. He immediately lurches backward, screaming.

"Otis, no," Eric yells from the ground. "Now you've just made him angry."

The blinded man shoves Otis to the ground and stumbles back to the convertible. "They've got fuckin' weapons," he calls out. "Waste of time." The two men drive off as Otis lies on the ground, shaking in fear and listening to Eric's sobs. He takes a few deep breaths, and then a few puffs from his inhaler, before finally getting up and going over to Eric.

"Come on, please get up," Otis says. "Let's go home."

"I can't," Eric cries. "My dad...when he sees what happened...he'll..."

"We'll go back to mine, okay," Otis says. "We just...we can't stay here. My mum'll help. It'll be fine, okay?"

In the back of their heads, both Eric and Otis know that fine is the last thing it'll be.

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"I just wanted her to know how it feels," Olivia says.

"So you decided to ruin her life," Abby asks. "What the fuck?"

"What are you talking about," Ruby asks, glaring at Olivia.

"You say mean shit to me everyday, Ruby," Olivia says with a sigh. "'Your bag's fake. Your mascara's clumpy. You'll never have the right body type to get a proper thigh gap.'"

"You don't, Olivia," Ruby says. "It's a fact."

"See," Olivia says. "She's horrible."

"Honey, do you think you're special," Abby asks Olivia. "Ruby treats everyone like shit. Did you think being her friend made you the exception? She shouldn't talk to you like that, but I don't know how you expected that she wouldn't. And none of what she said makes okay for you to try ruining her life. None of it."

"I only did it so she could see what I feel like for just one day," Olivia attempts to explain.

"I don't say what's wrong with you to make you feel bad," Ruby says, tossing her hair again. "I do it to be helpful."

"Oh, like when you helped me be telling me I was too ugly to get with a guy I didn't even want to date," Abby asks. "Or is it like you somehow think you're helping Maeve by bringing up some foul nickname every time you see her?"

"No," Ruby says. "I just don't like you two. But Olivia's my friend, and she deserves honesty."

"Here's some breaking news: you can be honest without being a bitch," Abby says. "I know that none of those cliché chick flicks you watch ever suggest that, but it's possible."

"But we say nasty stuff about everyone," Ruby says. "It's not like I'm targeting Olivia."

"Okay, I'm going to say this," Abby says. "Friends don't shit on each other. At least they shouldn't. Maybe this is how your farce of a friendship supposedly works, but clearly it's not going too great. Friends aren't supposed to snake each other. Seriously. You evil bitches should at least be a united rabid wolf pack, not...whatever a group of treacherous snakes is called."

"Ooh, big word," Ruby says.

Olivia sighs again. "I'm really sorry, Ruby."

Ruby gets off the couch and glares at her. "I hate you," she snipes. "I'm going home."

She storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her. "She's such a bitch," Olivia grumbles, gathering her things and walking out.

"Well, I would say we needed Otis, but honestly I don't think mediation by the Dalai Lama could help them," Maeve says.

"I'm glad we're the kind of friends who can just tell each other to choke on rice and then laugh," Abby says. "And I'm really glad they didn't decide to let me in their group. Mostly because I would have murdered them by now."

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The first thing Jean notices when she picks Otis and Eric up by the bus stop is that Otis has a scratch on his forehead. But then she looks over at Eric and realizes that whatever happened to her son isn't nearly as bad as the other boy's blackened eye and bleeding chin.

"What happened," she asks, running out of the car. "Are you boys okay? Who did this? Do you know them? Do you want to go to the police..."

"Mum," Otis says, his arm wrapped protectively around Eric. "Can we please just go home?"

Jean's face shifts from concern to understanding. "Of course."

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Abby and Maeve walk home on Clayhill Bridge. "So...what are you going to tell Jackson about why you left," Abby asks.

"Diarrhea attack. Or you know, I had to poo, so I ran all the way home, but I didn't have anything good to bring back to show his family, so I didn't have a clever excuse the way you do."

They both laugh and stop to look over the river. "He's never going to talk to me again, is he," Maeve asks, more resigned.

"That depends," Abby says. "Do you want him to?"

"I don't know," Maeve says. "I do like him. And really...I felt like I was letting him off the hook. His mums aren't going to want someone like me dating their golden boy, so...why fake it?"

"See, now I really wish Otis was here," Abby says. "He's good with guardians. Nan adores him. Meanwhile, his mum thinks I'm an alcoholic harlot from America who's come to corrupt and piss on her son. Or, you know, maybe she sees right through me and knows I'm not nearly good enough, drunk or sober. I mean, I don't think Otis wants me to meet her, especially after the whole incident, so I'll never know."

"Wow," Maeve says. "Nice to know that a rich celebrity child has almost the exact same problems as the caravan girl."

"Not the exact same," Abby says. "I have money to cry in. But, you know, you have privileges that I don't. Like breasts. So, really, we're almost even."

"That's why I said almost, dumbass," Maeve says, elbowing Abby. "Although, you know, congrats on the sugar baby. You've got a good one. Nice legs."

"I know, right," Abby says with a grin. "Look...I'm really glad we're friends, Maeve. I mean, actual friends. I haven't really ever had a girl friend. I mean, there's my old au pair, but until I was thirteen, she was paid to be around me, so that's nothing special."

Maeve grins. "I really didn't want to like you," she admits. "But where else am I going to find a friend who's read the entirety of the Georgia Nicholson series and can accurately quote The Feminine Mystique?"

"I didn't want to like you either," Abby admits. "But I don't know anyone else who listens to The Muffs and has read Lady Susan."

"Shit, you're the only other teenager I know that's read it," Maeve points out.

"I mean, I bet those two we left behind have stuff in common," Abby goes on. "But that's basically the reason they want to kill each other. Meanwhile, I have to explain every Disney Channel meme on TikTok to you, and you have to introduce me to most of the good indie bands of the 2010s, and that's the way I like things."

"Oh, don't get soft on me now, Abby," Maeve says. Abby's phone vibrates and she looks down at it. She sees a text from Otis and her eyes widen.

"Look...something's gone wrong with Eric and Otis," she says. "I have to go."

"What is it," Maeve asks.

"Some...dickhead queerbashed them," Abby explains. "I-I gave Otis mace, but there was supposed to be only a low chance of this happening in this day and age, I thought. I..." she sniffles. "Otis says...he's fine, but Eric is really hurt."

Maeve grabs Abby and pulls her into a hug. "It'll be okay," she whispers into her ear. "Go ahead. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Okay," Abby says. "I'll see you too. I'll...text you when I know more about what's happened, if you want. Unless..."

"Can I come with you," Maeve asks. "I need to know Otis is okay."

"Of course," Abby says. "...You're a really good friend, Maeve, you know that? To Otis, too. You...you should let Jackson know that, if he doesn't. Maybe he'll understand." She nods and concludes by saying, "Now let's go."