“You think you’re any different than us? What, watching from behind glass is somehow better?”

“It’s safer.” I replied defensively. I wasn’t going to change anybody’s mind but I tried a different tactic. “Look, I’d much rather sit here and look at pretty girls than watch the crazy Jesus freak try and rally support against the cops.”

“But it’s like a real reality show.”

“Exactly. I mean, you know I don’t watch that crap, right?”

Allison rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I forgot.”

“Do you really want your fifteen minutes of fame to be wasted on the evening news as one face in a riot?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“A mob is a powder keg of emotions just waiting to explode.”

“We’ll I’m going back out there, you can hide in here if you want.”

I hated it when my friends didn’t listen to me. I was so frustrated that I really wanted to let her go alone but instead I tucked my computer into my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I couldn’t protect her from herself but I might be able to protect her from other people.