Lip heard the chanting and chaos from across the street as soon as he stepped out of the school. He craned his neck over the crowd of people shouting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” There were occasional yells of “Beat her ass!” Or “Grab her hair!”

Lip hurriedly shoved his way to the front, then froze for a moment, gaping at the scene in a mix of shock and incredulousness. Ian and Jefferson Davis were on the ground, taking turns throwing fists when they had an opening. Wren was pinning down Bonnie Adams, Jefferson’s girlfriend, while two of the cheerleaders tried to pull her off by her hair, her clothes, anything. They were all tearing at each other like strays over a steak, and he could already see blood and bruises forming on all parties. He let out an exasperated sigh and rolled up his sleeves. Fuck.