"Officer Sullivan," Maya said, her voice gaining strength. "I've been nothing but respectful to you. I showed you my permission letter and my student ID. I explained my assignment clearly. I don't understand why you're treating me this way."
Sullivan's face reddened. This kid had nerve talking back to him in front of his partner and all these witnesses. Time to show her who was really in charge.
"You know what? I think you're creating a public disturbance," Sullivan announced loudly, making sure nearby tourists could hear him. "Hand over that phone right now."
Maya's heart pounded. "Officer, I haven't done anything wrong. I'm just—"
"Don't argue with me!" Sullivan's voice boomed across the park area. "Give me the phone, or I'll arrest you for obstruction of justice."
Several tourists stopped walking and began pulling out their own phones. A middle-aged white couple exchanged concerned glances. An elderly Black man shook his head in disgust, but kept walking, unwilling to get involved.
Maya's hands shook as she reluctantly handed over her device. "This is my school project. Please don't delete it."
Sullivan scrolled through her footage with deliberate slowness, his thumb hovering over the delete button like a threat. "Looks like a bunch of troublemaking propaganda to me."
"Derek," Rodriguez whispered urgently. "She's just a kid with homework. Her stuff looks legitimate."
Sullivan ignored his partner completely. He was enjoying the power dynamic too much. Here was this uppity Black girl who thought she could waltz into his neighborhood with cameras and attitude. Time to teach her a lesson about respect.
"Sit down on that curb," he commanded, pointing to the dirty concrete edge. "Right now. Don't make me tell you twice."
Maya looked around desperately. Dozens of people were watching now, some filming, others just staring. The humiliation burned in her chest, but her mother's voice echoed in her mind: Maintain your dignity, no matter what.
She lowered herself onto the curb with as much grace as she could manage. Her school dress caught on the rough concrete, but she adjusted it carefully, refusing to let Sullivan rob her of every shred of dignity.
"That's better," Sullivan said with satisfaction. "Now maybe you can learn some respect for authority."
A young Black man approached cautiously. "Excuse me, Officer, but what did she do wrong?"
"Mind your business and keep walking," Sullivan snapped without even looking at him.