"Ah!" Gianna yelped, her hand flying to her cheek.
The impact was forceful, turning her face to the side. Her skin burned, her ears ringing. The pain brought tears to her eyes immediately.
"You crazy!" Gianna whipped her head toward Ava, glaring at her.
"I won't apologize for what I haven't done," Ava snapped back. "You tried to frame me, and I hit you. We are even now."
"Dylan!" Gianna cried out, anger and helplessness mingling on her face. "How could you let her bully me?"
Dylan was infuriated. He could tolerate anything but not this. He had promised his best friend on his death bed to take care of Gianna and protect her always.
He stepped toward Ava, his eyes blazing with frustration. "I told you to apologize! And instead, you hit her again? How can you behave like this?"
