Chloe had bullied Maya before, yes. Name-calling, bumping shoulders in the cafeteria, leaving cruel notes on her locker. But property destruction in the middle of a crowded hallway? That was an escalation. That was desperate.
Maya closed her eyes, replaying the events of the morning. First period. Advanced Chemistry. Mr. Harrison had briefly stepped out of the room. Chloe had been sitting two desks away. Maya had been recording the lecture on her tablet.
Recording.
Maya’s eyes snapped open. The tablet’s camera had been facing the back of the room. Facing Chloe.
“Are you even listening to me?” Principal Davis slammed his hand on the desk, making his coffee mug rattle. “I have suspended you pending a disciplinary hearing on Friday. I have called your grandfather. He is coming to collect you. I highly suggest you pack your locker, Ms. Lin, because I will personally ensure you never set foot in this school again.”
Maya looked at Chloe. Over the principal's shoulder, Chloe lowered the tissue from her face. She gave Maya a nasty, triumphant smile, mouthing the words, You're done.
Maya just reached into her pocket, feeling the small, sharp edges of the micro-SD card against her fingertips.
No, Maya thought, her heart slowing down to a calm, steady rhythm. I'm just getting started.
Chapter 2: The Deeper Truth
The drive home was quiet. Arthur Lin kept his eyes on the road, his weathered hands lightly gripping the steering wheel of his old, reliable sedan. He wore a faded canvas jacket, his silver hair pulled back into a neat tie. He had listened to Principal Davis’s shouting over the phone with characteristic silence, collected Maya from the front office without making a scene, and escorted her to the car.
They finally pulled into the driveway of their small, single-story house on the edge of town, far from the gated communities where Chloe Sterling lived.
Arthur turned off the engine and looked at his granddaughter.
“Did you strike first?” he asked. His voice was soft, carrying the gravel of a man who had lived a hard life.