"I heard what Brett did to you," Lexi said without preamble. "The real story, not the BS version everyone's talking about. And... and I've seen him do things like this before. Not as bad maybe, but the same kind of cruelty." Lexi's voice wavered. "He's dating Heather now, but he's still trying to control who I can talk to, who I can date."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Lexi pulled out her phone. "Because I have something you might want from last year. Brett and his friends trashing the special education classroom after hours. They thought it was hilarious to mess up the students' projects." She played a video showing Brett, Troy, and Kyle laughing as they tore down posters and knocked over carefully arranged materials in a classroom.
"Why didn't you report this?" Amaya asked.
"Because I was stupid and in love," Lexi said bitterly. "And because no one would have believed me over Brett anyway."
"Do you want this to stop?"
"Yes," Lexi said firmly. "I'm dating someone new now, Tom from the debate team. Brett keeps threatening him, saying he'll make sure Tom doesn't get his scholarship. I'm sick of it."
Amaya nodded. "Send me that video. And if you have anything else..."
"I'll keep looking," Lexi promised.
That night, Amaya and Elijah reviewed the new evidence. The video from Lexi clearly showed Brett's face as he mocked students with disabilities. Combined with their surveillance footage, they were beginning to build a case.
"It's time for phase two," Elijah said. "Psychological warfare."
The next day, Brett and his friends each found anonymous notes in their lockers. Each contained a blurred still from the surveillance footage with a simple message: I know what you did.
The effect was immediate and visible. During lunch, Amaya watched as Brett huddled with Kyle, Troy, and Mason, their expressions tense. They kept looking around as if trying to identify who might be watching them. Mason in particular looked terrified. Twice he glanced in Amaya's direction, quickly looking away when she caught his eye.
After school, Amaya was emptying her locker when she noticed Brett and Troy watching her from down the hall. They whispered to each other. Then Brett approached, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"Nice haircut," he said, nodding at her shaved head. "Very militant."
Amaya met his gaze coolly. "Did you need something?"
"Just wondering how you're adjusting. Westbridge can be tough for outsiders."
"I'm managing just fine."
Brett leaned closer. "Are you? Because it seems like you're having trouble fitting in. Maybe you should consider transferring somewhere more diverse."
Amaya refused to be intimidated. "I like it here. In fact, I think I'll stick around for a long time."
Brett's smile tightened. "We'll see about that."
The next morning, Amaya arrived at school to find her locker surrounded by security guards and Principal Harrison. The principal's expression was grave as she approached.
"Miss Walker, we need to search your locker. We've received information that stolen items from the science lab may be inside."
Amaya's stomach dropped. "That's ridiculous. I didn't steal anything."
"Nevertheless, we need to check."
As the security guard opened her locker, Amaya wasn't surprised to see several expensive microscope lenses tucked behind her books—items she had never seen before.
"These were reported missing yesterday," Principal Harrison said, her voice cold. "Care to explain how they ended up in your locker?"
"They're not mine," Amaya said firmly. "Someone planted them."
"A serious accusation. Do you have any proof?"
Amaya thought of the cameras, but none had been positioned to view her locker directly. Not yet.
"Then I'm afraid you'll need to come with me. You're suspended pending an investigation."
As security escorted her to the office, Amaya caught sight of Brett watching from around the corner, a satisfied smirk on his face. This was his counter move, and for the moment, he had the upper hand.
In Principal Harrison's office, Amaya sat silently as the principal called her father. Twenty minutes later, Elijah arrived, his expression carefully controlled.
"Mr. Walker," Principal Harrison began. "I'm afraid Amaya has been caught with stolen property in her locker."
"Has she?" Elijah's voice was deceptively calm. "That seems unlikely."
"The evidence suggests otherwise."
"Evidence can be misleading," Elijah countered. "Especially when it's been manipulated."