"I think the school board will be very interested in this footage," Simone said calmly, "along with the previous video of your son assaulting Jamal and the racist messages and the principal's failure to act."
More vehicles were arriving. News vans with satellite dishes, parents who'd seen the stream, community members drawn by the commotion. A reporter thrust a microphone toward Principal Morris.
"Sir, can you comment on allegations that the school ignored repeated incidents of racial harassment?"
Morris backed away, tugging at his collar. "No comment at this time. We take all student safety concerns very seriously."
"Then why didn't you investigate when these boys attacked Jamal in the locker room?" Another reporter called out.
"Or when they vandalized his locker with slurs?" shouted someone in the growing crowd.
Walker grabbed his phone, pacing and shouting at his lawyer. The other boys' parents arrived, creating more chaos as they argued with police and demanded to see their sons. Detective Martinez turned to Jamal.
"We'll need you to come down to the station to make a formal statement, but from what I've seen, this was clearly self-defense."
"Thank you," Jamal said quietly. He looked at Marcus. "You okay to give a statement, too?"
Marcus nodded, still shaken, but standing straighter. "They need to face consequences this time. No more covering it up."
Lily was scanning the stream comments on her phone. "It's everywhere. Twitter, Instagram, TikTok. People are sharing clips and tagging civil rights groups. #JusticeForJamal is trending."
Simone squeezed Jamal's hand. "Let's go home, baby. It's been a long night."
As they walked to their car, community members called out support. Several students who'd stayed silent before now approached to apologize. Jamal just nodded, too drained to say much.
At home later that night, Jamal and Simone sat on the couch watching news coverage. His phone buzzed constantly with messages of support from around the country. The video had millions of views across platforms.
"Look at this," Simone said, showing him a statement from the NAACP calling for an investigation into Jefferson High's handling of racial harassment. Other civil rights organizations were weighing in. Former students shared similar stories of abuse covered up by the administration.
"I never wanted all this attention," Jamal sighed. "I just wanted to be treated like everyone else."
"I know, baby." Simone hugged him close. "But sometimes standing up for yourself means standing up for others, too. You showed amazing control tonight. Used your training exactly the way it's meant to be used."
Jamal watched clips of himself on the news, staying calm, using precise technique to neutralize attacks without causing serious harm. No wild punches or kicks. No loss of control, even when faced with a knife.
"Coach Morales would be proud," he said with a small smile.
His phone lit up with a text from Lily. CNN wants to interview you tomorrow. Ready to tell your story?
Jamal looked at his mother. She nodded encouragingly. Ready? He typed back. Time for everyone to hear the truth.
Monday morning brought a sea of protest signs and chanting voices outside Jefferson High. The school's brick facade disappeared behind a wall of demonstrators stretching across the front lawn. News vans lined both sides of the street, their satellite dishes reaching toward the cloudy sky.
"No justice, no peace." The crowd's rhythmic chant echoed off nearby buildings.
Reverend Jackson, a respected local pastor, stood at the center of the gathering with a megaphone. "For too long, this school has turned a blind eye to racism. For too long, administrators have protected bullies while punishing victims. Today, we demand change."
Jamal watched from his mother's car parked across the street. Camera crews swarmed around community leaders giving interviews. Students filtered through the crowd, many wearing homemade shirts with "Justice for Jamal" printed on them.
"You don't have to go in today," Simone said softly. "No one would blame you for staying home."
Jamal shook his head. "I can't hide. That's what they want."
As they approached the school entrance, reporters rushed forward with microphones and cameras.
"Jamal, how do you respond to claims that you provoked the attack?" "Mrs. Price, will you be filing a lawsuit against the school?" "What message do you have for other students facing racial harassment?"
Detective Martinez and two officers cleared a path. "Back up, please let them through."
Inside, the halls were eerily quiet. Most students had stayed home. Those present whispered and stared as Jamal passed. Near his locker, he found Marcus and Lily waiting.
"You okay?" Lily asked, hugging him. "The video hit 5 million views overnight."