Kori held her position for a moment, despite finishing her prayers. She missed the mosque and the exchange of blessings that followed worship. Her thoughts lingered on Robin and Garfield. They were both so small, and Garfield felt no heavier than her suitcase when she picked him up to run him to the nurse. A forgivable offence, she reminded herself standing up. It may have saved his life.

Kori removed her mother's hijab and hung it up again. Then she picked up her phone. Three missed calls from Victor and one from Garfield. She unmuted the device and sat on her bed to call Garfield back.

After a few rings, he picked up. "Hey, babe!"

"Hello, Garfield. You are feeling better, yes?" she asked.

"I feel awesome! Thanks for carrying me to the nurse."

"Of course! I do not like to see my friends hurt."

Her thoughts flashed briefly to Rachel and the occasional bruises she helped hide. She shook it from her mind. If Rachel wanted help, she would ask. She didn't like it, though.

"Victor said that the fish is bad for you, yes?"

"Yeah, but Rob didn't know that," Garfield insisted. "I mean, Vic didn't even know until he saw the hives. I don't really talk about my health too much."

"That is okay."

"No, there are important things you guys should know, just in case. I could get sick or start trouble, and you guys wouldn't know how to deal with that. It's not fair. I'll tell you and Rae tomorrow, just so you can help Vic keep me in line, okay?"

Kori nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you for your trust, Garfield."

"Hey, thanks for calling me back! Were you busy?"

"Mm. I had 'Asr prayer."

"Oh, yeah. I keep forgetting you're Muslim."

Kori sighed internally. "Yes, but Uncle does not like me to wear my hijab outside."

"You should wear what makes you -something-."

"Comfortable," Kori repeated slowly. "To be able to comfort?"

"Or to feel comfort. Do what makes you happy!"

Kori laughed. "I wish that! But the danger is too much for me."

"Ah, yeah, I get that. You're still coming to the dance with me, right?"

"Of course. I look forward to the coming of home dance and spending more time with everyone."

Garfield paused, then laughed. "Totally! I love hanging out with you and Rae and Vic. Maybe Rob will change his mind now, too."

"That would be most wonderful! Oh," Kori gasped. "I must call Victor now. He tried hard to contact me."

"Woah, no worries! I know what he needed to tell you," Garfield said, excited again. "He can't get ahold of Rae. The person answering the phone keeps hanging up on him. And we wanted to tell you that Robin might be in trouble."

Kori's breath caught in her throat. "Trouble?"

"His brain is out of whack. Like, way worse than mine. He's being held in -something- to make sure he doesn't hurt himself."

"'Hurt himself?'"

"Yeah, they're worried about him. Oh, and get this! Do you know who told me?"

"Should I?" asked Kori.

"His sponsor. Bruce. Wayne."

Kori knew the name, kind of. "I see this name often. He is a popular man, no?"

"Very! He's the richest man in the state and the owner of Wayne -something-. He has a hand in everything! My mom and Vic's dad work for him, even. He does it all!" He paused. "Anyway, he says it's up to Robin now if he's going to come back to school, but it looks bad right now. I thought, maybe we should send him a card?"

"I am glad," Kori said. "You are being so kind now. What changed?"

Garfield mumbled something, then said, "I mean, I was rude. He was just reacting to me. If you guys like him, I should at least try to be nice, right?"

"Mm. I should pass this news to Rae," Kori hummed.

"Oh, yeah. No problem. I'm gonna play games with Vic, so it's all good. Take care, Kori!"

"Fi amen Allah," replied Kori before hanging up.

She paused in thought. Wayne. That name sounded so familiar. Even before she left home, she heard it for some reason.

Kori dialed Rachel's number, making a note to ask Uncle about it.

"Pastor Roth speaking. How can I help you?"

"Is Rachel home?" Kori asked.

"That depends who's asking."

"My name is Kori. I am a friend from school."

"And do you intend to put the young man harassing her on the phone once I collect her?"

What? "No, sir. He is not here."

"How did he get this number?"

"Who?"

"Never mind." The voice became muffled as the pastor must have put his hand over the receiver. "Rachel, phone!"

Kori picked at the hem of her shirt as she waited for her friend.

"Rachel Roth."

"Hello, Rae! This is Kori. Victor could not reach you."

"Yeah, I told you that," Rachel scolded. "When I gave you this number, I very clearly said 'do not give this number to boys.'"

"Are you not even allowed to speak to boys? Your house has strict faith!" said Kori.

"Well, any boy who thinks I'm worth dating needs to discuss it with Father first," explained Rachel, a tiny chuckle in her voice.

"I see," Kori said, somewhat confused by her amusement. "I will do a better job to protect your number, Rae. Promise."

"I'd appreciate that. So, did you find out what happened to those kids that got sent to the hospital?"

"Yes! Garfield is much better. The fish is out of his system, and he is recovered. He will be back tomorrow."

Rachel's voice became distant, saying, "Some kid at school had an allergic reaction to shrimp and almost died." Then she returned to Kori. "And the other guy?"

"Mm. This is harder to say, but I will try. Robin is in… brain trouble?"

"Bad enough for the hospital?"

"He is, how is it said?… in the watch of psyche… mattress?"

"Psychiatric. That bad? Really?"

"And then Mr. Wayne told Garfield that-"

"Pause! Mr. Wayne? As in the Bruce Wayne?"

"Yes! He said it is 'up to Robin.' But it 'looks bad.'"

"Wayne said it looked bad? Sucks to be that kid." A miniscule pause, then she continued. "Yeah, sounds like he needs God."

"Mm. 'Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.' We must pray for Robin, then," said Kori.

"What was his name again?"

"Hmm? Oh, right. No boys. Understood."

Rachel pulled the phone away again. "Father, may we pray for Robin Grayson tonight? For his safety and salvation?" She said to Kori, "Thank you for telling me. I need to get back to Mother now."

"Fi amen Allah," said Kori.

"God bless," replied Rachel. "Later."

Words flooded her mind as she flopped down on her bed. The boys' war seemed over, thank Allah, but the damage was done. Garfield acted like he was fine, but his speech was more hesitant than usual. And there was no way the blisters on his arm would heal soon. Now Robin wanted to hurt himself. Victor had one arm. Rachel's skin sported bruises half the time they talked.

Kori sat up suddenly. She opened the internet on her phone and typed in "how to make my friends happy" and scanned for answers. As she read, a brilliant, devious plan began to gather in her head.