"Why would you make that shit up?" Eddie asks, his brow furrowing. He's glad it looks like she's at least considering it, but he can't imagine anyone not believing her. Especially if they've ever seen her mom, let alone the shadow of a bruise he'd seen under her collar before the lights started going haywire. That and Carrie is so avoidant of any kind of attention that it sometimes feels like it's painful for her to look him in the eye, even if she's gotten better about it.

"Carrie," he says softly, moving even closer to her. "I know it's scary. You've got to feel like no matter what you do, you get screwed, but I'm not going to let that happen, okay? My reputation might be bad, but we've got the other Hellfire Club members. Not all of the teachers are assholes here, some of them actually care, especially about girls like you. Smart girls who haven't done anything wrong." He reaches for her hand. "Please, let us help you."