[When she says she hit her head, he brings the hand on her shoulder up to cup her head protectively, as if he can shield her from the landing even now.]

Could you not change teams? Was there no adult to put a stop to the laughing?

[But of course there wasn't. Or if there was, they were incompetent.

He hugs the poor, crying girl close, presses her head to his lips.]

No one here thinks you're a joke. I certainly don't.