The school bully attacks a black girl… without knowing who is her father…

The final nail in the coffin came two days later. The school was buzzing about it before Maya even arrived that morning. She stepped through the front doors and immediately caught the hushed voices, the stifled laughter, the way people huddled together, whispering and glancing toward the lockers.

Something had happened, and she had a feeling she already knew what it was. She made her way toward the crowd that had gathered near Bryce’s locker. Students were staring, some snapping photos with their phones, others murmuring in disbelief.

And there, plastered all over the metal door, was a collection of printed screenshots, messages, comments, direct conversations, every single cruel, vile, degrading thing Bryce had ever said about people behind their backs. Some were about students in the school, people he had pretended to be friends with, only to turn around and mock them in private. Others were worse, comments about teachers, racist and sexist remarks, things that couldn’t be laughed off as jokes.

But the worst part? The timestamps on those messages showed they weren’t from years ago. They were recent. Bryce shoved his way through the crowd, his face pale, his eyes widening as he saw what had been posted.

What the hell is this? His voice was sharp, his hands trembling slightly as he ripped the papers off the locker. But it was too late. The damage was done.

Maya didn’t need to say a word. She simply leaned against the opposite locker, arms crossed, watching. Watching as Bryce’s reputation crumbled before his eyes.

Watching as the same people who used to laugh at his jokes now looked at him with disgust. Watching as his friends slowly stepped away, distancing themselves, unwilling to go down with him. Bryce turned, his eyes locking onto hers.

There was no cocky smirk this time, no arrogance, no false bravado, just pure, unfiltered rage. You did this, he hissed, his voice low, shaking with barely contained fury. Maya tilted her head slightly.

Did I? His nostrils flared. You think you’re so smart, huh? You think this makes you better than me? Maya took a slow step forward, her voice calm but firm. No, Bryce.

I think this makes you exactly who you are. The only difference is now everyone else sees it too. His fists clenched at his sides, his whole body vibrating with anger.

For a second, she thought he might actually lose it, might actually take a swing at her right there in the middle of the hallway. But he didn’t. He couldn’t…