"What?" Her voice sounded like a puff of air.
Scotty frowned. "Have you been thinking that all this time?"
"I—I thought that's the reason you were being nice to me-"
Scotty's mouth parted but he didn't speak. Suddenly, Jalissa's loud voice could be heard and everyone's attention turned to her.
"I said stop it!" She was pushing Donald Miller away from her and the boy was laughing maniacally while he smacked her butt.
Vanessa leaped to her feet in outrage that he would dare touch her cousin in such a disrespectful way. She darted forward and stepped in front of Jalissa, shielding her with her taller body.
"Don't you dare touch her like that!"
Donald smirked at her, his eyes lighting with something that caused Vanessa's blood to run cold.
"That's fine, Vanessa." Donald said. "I'd rather touch yours anyway."
Suddenly Scotty was standing in front of her and Jalissa. "Leave them alone."