Nia whispered urgently. Someone posted a video online, but it's been edited. It starts right when you defend yourself, not when they surrounded you. Aaliyah's phone buzzed with notifications. Students were already sharing the clip, arguing in comments about whether she had overreacted or defended herself appropriately.
The edited footage made her look like she had attacked unprovoked. "I saved my original recording," Nia said firmly. "The full version that shows them blocking your path first. Nobody's going to alter my file." Before Aliyah could respond, Marcus appeared at the building entrance. His expression was grim as he approached them.
"I heard what happened," he said quietly. "Aaliyah, you need to request the security footage from the camera above the brick building entrance immediately. Don't let them claim it's unavailable or corrupted. Dr. Hris emerged from her office carrying a folder. Miss Brooks, based on the preliminary investigation, we're placing you under temporary disciplinary review pending a full hearing.
You are not to contact Grayson Vale, Brett Maddox, Cody Mercer, or Tessa Lang while this matter is being resolved. That evening, the campus study room felt like a war room. Aaliyah sat across from Marcus and Nia at the long wooden table, her notebook open and pen ready. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as students passed by in the hallway, their voices distant and muffled. We need everything documented before they try to twist it more.
Marcus said firmly. Memory gets fuzzy. Details change. We write down exactly what happened right now. Aaliyah nodded and began writing.
3:15 p.m. Walking past the brick academic building. Grayson blocked the narrow walkway with Brett, Cody, and Tessa. He said they were going to teach you a lesson, Nia added, pulling out her phone. I'm backing up this recording to three different cloud accounts right now. Nobody's going to make my file disappear.
Her fingers moved quickly across the screen, uploading the footage that showed Grayson's group surrounding Aaliyah first. The original video was clear about who initiated the confrontation. Marcus opened his laptop and began typing. I'm pulling your entire competition history, Aaliyah. every tournament result, every disciplinary report. Five years of perfect conduct records.
Will that matter? Aaliyah asked, still writing in her notebook. Dr. Hris acted like my training made me automatically guilty. It proves you've been competing under strict rules for years without a single violation, Marcus replied. Martial arts tournaments have zero tolerance for excessive force or poor sportsmanship.
Your record shows restraint, not aggression. Nia looked up from her phone. The edited video online has over 200 shares already. People are arguing about it, but they're only seeing half the story. Aaliyah finished her timeline and slid the notebook toward Marcus. every detail I can remember.
From when Grayson first blocked my path to when security arrived. Marcus read through her account carefully. This is good. Clear sequence of events. No emotional language, just facts.
He saved his own files and closed the laptop. Now we request that security footage officially in writing. Aaliyah pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began drafting the formal request. The camera above the brick building entrance had to have captured everything. Her pen moved steadily as she wrote the exact location, date, and time frame.
There, she said, signing the bottom. I'll submit this first thing tomorrow morning. The study room door opened suddenly, making all three of them look up, but it was just another student entering the library area, and they returned to their work. They're going to keep pressuring witnesses, Marcus warned. Students who saw what really happened might get scared when they realized how much money and influence is behind this.
Nia shook her head defiantly. Let them try. I recorded everything I saw. And I'm not changing my story for anyone. Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside, growing louder.
Multiple sets of footsteps moving deliberately rather than casually. Aaliyah tensed as the sound stopped directly outside their study room. Through the glass window in the door, Grayson's face appeared. Brett, Cody, and Tessa stood behind him in the hallway. They stayed several steps back from the entrance, technically not entering the room, but their presence was unmistakably threatening.
Marcus immediately grabbed his phone and began recording. "No contact violation," he muttered, capturing Grayson's face clearly through the glass. Grayson smiled coldly and spoke loudly enough for his voice to carry through the door. Nobody's going to believe a scholarship student over four respected students and a major donor family. You can write all the reports you want, Brooks.
You're still going to lose your scholarship and get expelled. Brett shifted uncomfortably behind him, his face pale and uncertain. Cody crossed his arms and tried to look threatening, but his earlier humiliation still showed in his posture. Tessa stood with perfect composure, as if this intimidation was beneath her dignity. Brett, Grayson continued without turning around.
Tell her again what happened this afternoon. The same way you told Dr. Hris. Brett's mouth opened, then closed. His eyes darted between Grayson and the study room window. I we already gave our statements.
Say it again, Grayson ordered, his voice sharper. She attacked us without warning. Right, Brett? The silence stretched for long seconds. Brett's hands trembled slightly as he stared at the floor instead of meeting anyone's gaze.
Aaliyah stood calmly and walked to the door. She looked directly at Grayson through the glass, her voice steady and clear. Every threat you make creates another record against you, she said. Keep talking. Grayson's smile widened, but something flickered in his eyes.
Uncertainty. He gestured for his group to follow him and walked away down the hallway, his laughter echoing off the walls. The administration building felt cold and sterile as Aaliyah walked through the heavy glass doors the next morning. Marcus stayed close beside her, carrying a thick folder of documentation they had prepared the night before. Remember, he said quietly as they approached the reception desk, "Answer only what they ask.