The next morning, Ridgewood International felt different. Not tense. Not chaotic. Just strangely quiet, as if the school itself was waiting to see what would happen next. Maya walked through the entrance with her books hugged to her chest, but for the first time in weeks, her steps were light.
Students glanced at her, but the looks were no longer sharp or judgmental. Some nodded. Some offered small smiles. A few even stepped aside to let her pass. The difference was subtle, but Maya felt it in her bones.
She was not invisible anymore.
And she was not a target either.
Liam appeared beside her a moment later, falling into step without a word. His presence, strong and steady, made her feel even more grounded.
"You slept?" he asked quietly.
"Surprisingly well," Maya answered. "You?"
"A little. I kept thinking about today."
Maya nodded. "Me too."
Mrs. Hartley had sent a message late last night, asking them both to meet her before first period. Maya felt a flutter of nerves as they approached the counselor's door.
They knocked together.
"Come in," Mrs. Hartley called.
The moment they stepped inside, Maya saw that the atmosphere was more serious than yesterday. Mrs. Hartley sat at her desk with a small folder in front of her, and Principal Warren stood beside her with a calm but stern expression.
"Maya. Liam. Thank you for coming," Principal Warren said. "We have some updates regarding yesterday's report."
Maya exchanged a look with Liam before sitting down. Her pulse quickened, but she kept her posture straight.
Mrs. Hartley opened the folder. "We reviewed the logs you brought, along with the backup files on the school system. Everything aligns. The video was digitally altered. The audio was fabricated. And the editing was done on a media club device under Vanessa Hawthorne's account."
Maya exhaled softly. Hearing it confirmed out loud made everything feel real.
Principal Warren continued. "We spoke to Vanessa and her parents yesterday. Vanessa denied involvement at first, but after being shown the evidence, she admitted she made the edits."
Maya's heart tightened. She expected anger from Vanessa, denial, excuses. But not an admission.
"Because of the severity of the breach," the principal continued, "Vanessa has been suspended from all school activities involving digital media for the remainder of the term. She will also attend mandatory counseling sessions."
Maya nodded slowly. She did not feel triumphant. She felt relief. Heavy, deep relief.
"There is one more thing," Mrs. Hartley added. "Vanessa will not be allowed to approach you directly. Any attempt to contact or confront you must be reported."
Liam leaned forward slightly. "Good."
Maya swallowed. "What about the video?"
"We issued a notice this morning," Principal Warren said. "The video has been flagged across campus. Anyone caught sharing it again will face disciplinary action. We are doing our best to stop its spread."
It was not perfect. The video was already out there. But it was something. It was effort. Protection. Support.
Something Maya had never had before.
Mrs. Hartley softened her voice. "Maya, I want you to understand something. What Vanessa did was targeted harassment. It was cruel and deliberate. But the way you handled it shows maturity far beyond your years."
Maya felt her cheeks warm. "I just wanted it to stop."
"And now it will," Principal Warren said calmly.
The meeting wrapped up with a few more instructions, a few reassurances, and a promise that the situation would be monitored closely. When Maya and Liam stepped back into the hallway, the weight on Maya's shoulders felt lighter than it had in months.
Liam walked beside her in silence for a moment.
"How do you feel?" he finally asked.
Maya thought about it. Really thought.
"Stronger," she said softly. "A lot stronger."
They were halfway to class when a voice called out behind them.
"Maya."
They turned.
It was Vanessa's friend Tessa. She looked nervous, unsure, almost embarrassed.
Maya tensed slightly, but Tessa lifted her hands in a harmless gesture.
"I just wanted to say something," Tessa said quietly. "What Vanessa did was wrong. And we all… we all played a part by letting her do whatever she wanted. I am sorry. I really am."
Maya blinked. She never expected an apology. Especially not from someone in Vanessa's circle.
"Thank you," Maya said softly. "That means a lot."
Tessa nodded once, then walked away quickly, as if afraid to stay too long.
Maya and Liam exchanged a look.
"She is scared," Liam said.
"Vanessa is losing her grip on everyone," Maya replied.
Liam smiled. "Good. Maybe people will finally see you for who you are."
Maya felt her heart warm at his words. "And who is that?"
"Someone brave," he said. "Someone worth admiring."
Her breath caught for a moment, and she looked away, shy but happy.
They reached her classroom, and Liam paused at the door.
"I will see you after class," he said.
"Okay."
He started to walk away, but Maya called after him.
"Liam?"
He turned.
"Thank you," she said softly. "For everything."
He smiled in that quiet way of his, warm and steady.
"Always."
Maya entered the classroom feeling something she had not felt in a very long time.
Safe.
Strong.
And ready for whatever came next at Ridgewood International.
Because this time, she was not facing it alone.