“But now I’m beginning to think you’re just good at making people feel sorry for you.”
“Move, Madison.”
“Why? Are you worried I’ll tell someone?”
“You can tell whoever you want.”
Madison’s smile widened.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
She stepped aside.
Amara entered the library.
For the next hour, she tried to concentrate on her history essay, but the encounter lingered in her mind. She had not cheated. She had not seen the examination before it began. She had not shared answers with anyone.
Still, the photograph unsettled her.
She wondered how Madison had obtained it.
She wondered whether the page was authentic.
And she wondered why Madison seemed so certain that the accusation would damage her.
At four fifteen, Amara packed her books and left the library.
She had intended to go straight to the bus stop.
Instead, she received a message from Mr. Larkin.
Please come to the mathematics office before you leave.
Her pulse quickened.
She walked to the mathematics building and found Mr. Larkin waiting beside his desk. His expression was serious, though not hostile.
“Amara, take a seat.”
She sat.
“I’ve received a concern about today’s assessment,” he said.
“From Madison?”
He paused.
“I can’t discuss who raised it.”
“Is it about cheating?”
Mr. Larkin folded his hands.
“It’s about the possibility that examination material was accessed before the test.”
Amara felt the room grow strangely distant.
“I didn’t access it.”
“I understand that you’re denying the allegation.”
“I’m not just denying it. I’m telling you I didn’t do it.”
He studied her face.
“I’m not making a judgment at this moment. The school has a process for reviewing these concerns.”
“Did someone show you a photograph?”
“Yes.”
“Was it the same page that was sent around this morning?”
Mr. Larkin’s eyebrows rose.
“What photograph?”
Amara explained the group chat message.
The teacher listened carefully, then asked her to forward the image and preserve the original messages.
“I’ll review the circumstances,” he said. “In the meantime, don’t engage in arguments with other students.”
Amara nodded.
“Will the fellowship committee be told?”
“Only if the allegation becomes a formal matter relevant to the selection process.”
She swallowed.
“Mr. Larkin, I studied for this test for months. I did every practice problem. I can show you my notes.”
“I know how hard you work.”
“Then why would anyone believe I cheated?”
“I didn’t say that anyone had.”
“But they’re already saying it.”
He looked troubled.
“Amara, I’m going to look into this. I need you to remain calm and let the review proceed.”
She stood.
“Okay.”
As she reached the door, he added, “And Amara?”
She turned.