The tension inside Ridgewood International grew heavier with each passing minute. The video continued to spread, moving from phone to phone like a storm no one could escape. Students whispered in corners. Some looked at Maya with confusion, some with pity, some with curiosity. But none of those looks mattered now.
Maya walked with purpose. Her footsteps were steady, her shoulders straight. She felt the weight of the situation, but she also felt something stronger rising inside her. Determination. Courage. Fire.
Liam walked beside her, silent but protective. His presence kept her centered. Every time she glanced at him, his eyes were calm, focused, ready.
They reached the library, the one place Vanessa rarely came unless she wanted to show off. Maya pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was quiet, filled with students pretending to study but clearly distracted by the drama circulating the school.
Maya spotted her friend Hannah at a corner table. Hannah stood the moment their eyes met.
"Please tell me the video is fake," Hannah whispered.
"It is," Maya answered. Her voice was steady. "She edited everything."
Hannah let out a relieved breath. "I knew it. I just needed to hear it from you."
Liam stepped forward. "We need to find the source. We already know who made it, but we need to find who helped her spread it."
Hannah sat back down. "People are talking about it in the media club room. I overheard two kids saying they got the video from someone in there."
Maya exchanged a quick look with Liam.
"She used the media club equipment," Maya said.
"It makes sense," Liam replied. "Good quality editing. Quick upload. Wide reach."
Hannah leaned forward. "Be careful. Vanessa has people everywhere."
Maya lifted her chin. "She does not scare me anymore."
Liam nodded. "Let's move."
They were heading toward the door when Hannah grabbed Maya's hand timidly.
"Maya… I am proud of you," she said softly. "You are not the same girl who kept her head down. You are stronger."
Maya felt warmth rise in her chest. "I had to be."
When they stepped back into the hallway, the atmosphere was buzzing with whispers. Maya ignored the stares and kept her eyes on the path ahead. They approached the media club room, the door slightly open, voices drifting out.
Vanessa's voice was the first one Maya recognized.
"I told you all this would work," she said in a satisfied tone. "People are already believing it."
Maya felt her heart tighten, but not in fear. In anger.
Liam stepped in front of her. "Let me go in first."
"No," Maya said firmly. "I need to do this."
He studied her for a moment, then stepped aside. "I am right behind you."
Maya pushed the door open. The room fell silent instantly. Vanessa froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening for a split second before she masked it with a cold smile.
"Look who decided to show up," Vanessa said mockingly. "Come to check your fanbase?"
Maya walked forward slowly. Every pair of eyes in the room followed her. "You crossed a line."
Vanessa laughed lightly. "Oh, please. It is just a video. And people seem to be enjoying it."
"It is not a joke," Maya replied. "It is manipulation. And it is going to stop."
Vanessa leaned back in her chair. "And what exactly will you do to stop me?"
Maya took another step. Her voice did not shake. "I am going to expose you."
A few gasps went around the room.
Vanessa arched an eyebrow. "Expose me? For what? Editing a video? Prove it."
Maya did not answer immediately. She looked around the room instead, meeting the eyes of the students who sat frozen in their seats.
"You used school equipment to harm another student," Maya said clearly. "And Ridgewood has rules. Strict rules. Everything done in here is recorded. Every log. Every file. Every edit."
A ripple moved through the room. Something like fear.
Liam stepped up beside her. His voice was calm but sharp. "All we need is the access log. And we already know how to get it."
Vanessa's smile flickered.
Maya caught it. Liam caught it. Everyone in the room caught it.
"Face it," Maya continued softly. "You slipped this time. And we are going to make sure the school sees exactly what you did."
Vanessa stood up abruptly. "You are bluffing."
"Try me," Maya replied.
Silence spread through the room like a slow wave. Vanessa's confidence wavered for the first time in front of everyone.
Liam moved closer to Maya, his voice low but strong. "This is the beginning. You are not hurting her anymore."
Vanessa looked between the two of them, her jaw tight. Her eyes darkened with anger she could not disguise.
"This is not over," she said in a cold voice.
Maya held her gaze. "Good. Because I am not done either."
With that, she turned and walked out of the room, Liam following closely. As the door closed behind them, Maya felt adrenaline rush through her. Her hands were shaking, not from fear but from power.
Liam touched her shoulder gently. "You handled that perfectly."
Maya breathed out slowly. "I am done being her target."
Liam nodded. "Then it is time to turn the tables."
Maya looked up at him. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was in control.
"Then let's fight back," she whispered.
"Together," Liam said.
They walked down the hallway with new purpose.
Vanessa had drawn the first strike.
Now it was Maya's turn.