“Your work matters. Don’t let an accusation erase what you’ve accomplished.”
She tried to smile.
“Thank you.”
Then she left.
Outside, the sun was low and the parking lot was crowded with departing students.
She had almost reached her car when Madison appeared beside a dark blue luxury SUV.
“Hey, Amara.”
Amara kept walking.
“Don’t you want to talk?”
“No.”
Madison followed.
“Funny. You were very confident in the office.”
Amara stopped.
“What do you want?”
Madison glanced toward Chloe and Sloane, who were standing near the SUV with their phones.
“I want you to admit what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
Madison’s expression hardened.
“You really think you can keep lying?”
“I’ve told you the truth.”
“Then why are you so afraid of the evidence?”
Amara looked at her.
“Because you keep inventing evidence.”
Madison laughed sharply.
“Wow.”
She moved closer.
“You know what? I’m tired of everyone acting like you’re some kind of hero. You walk around here like you’re better than us because you get perfect grades and your teachers adore you.”
“That isn’t true.”
“You think the rules are different for you.”
“No. I think they should be the same for everyone.”
Madison’s smile vanished.
For a moment, her face showed the anger she usually hid beneath polished manners.
“You have no idea how this place works,” she said.
“Then explain it.”
Madison leaned in.
“You’re here because people like my parents donate money. You’re here because the school wants to look generous. Don’t confuse that with belonging.”
Amara felt the words strike somewhere deep, but she refused to let her face reveal it.
“My scholarship is based on my work.”
“Sure.”
“And I earned my place.”
Madison gave a contemptuous laugh.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Amara turned away.
That was when Madison grabbed the strap of her tote bag.
Amara spun back.
“Let go.”
Madison released it, but not before pulling it hard enough to knock the bag from Amara’s shoulder.
The tote hit the asphalt.
A notebook slid out.
Then another.
The photograph of Amara’s mother slipped from its sleeve and landed near Madison’s shoe.
Amara crouched to collect her things.
Madison watched her.
“You should be more careful.”
Amara reached for the photograph.
Madison placed her shoe on the edge of the plastic sleeve.
“Oops.”