Chapter 4 - An Apology for the Cameras
By morning, a photograph of Emma covered in food had reached every student group chat. Somebody added a fake crown to her head and the words PRINCESS GRANT MONEY.
Emma nearly stayed home. Then Maya showed up with a clean gray sweatshirt and two breakfast burritos.
"My mom said you don't fight a bully on an empty stomach," Maya told her.
In the main office, Merritt set a document before Emma. It described a "mutual disagreement" and said both students had contributed to an unfortunate food accident. Signing would close the matter.
"Where does it say Olivia threw my tray?" Emma asked.
"This keeps everyone from being embarrassed," Merritt replied.
"I'm already embarrassed. I'm asking you to tell the truth."
Charles Harper sat beside a district attorney retained by the school. He had brought Olivia in a white cardigan. Olivia read an apology from her phone without once looking up.
"I'm sorry Emma felt uncomfortable during our interaction."
"You threw lunch in my face," Emma said.
Olivia looked up then. "And you're enjoying making my life miserable."
Emma stared at the girl she had once watched cheer at football games. "Yesterday was the worst day of my year. You thought it was funny."
Grant did not threaten to withdraw funding. He asked for copies of the incident report and the school's anti-bullying policy. An independent student advocate joined them by phone. Merritt grew increasingly impatient.
Outside the office, Emma discovered that the six-second video had come from Nia Chen, a quiet sophomore who managed equipment for the school news club.
"I have more," Nia whispered. "But if they know I filmed it, my brother loses his team scholarship."
"I'm not asking you to risk him," Emma replied.
May you like
Nia glanced down the hall. "You don't understand. Somebody already knows."
She opened her phone. A new message flashed across the screen: DELETE THE ORIGINAL OR BOTH CHENS ARE DONE.
