The day stretched quietly, almost deceptively calm, and Maya felt the shift in the air long before the final bell rang. Students were whispering again. Not with malice this time. Not with the sharpness of gossip. But with curiosity, shock and something else entirely.
Something was happening.
And Maya felt her heartbeat pick up as she walked toward the courtyard where Liam usually waited for her after last period.
She found him instantly.
Standing stiff. Jaw set. Eyes locked on something across the courtyard.
Maya followed his gaze.
There, surrounded by a cluster of students, was Vanessa Hawthorne.
But something was different. Very different.
Her perfect composure was cracked. Her flawless smile was gone. Her hands trembled as people stared, murmured, exchanging glances filled with disbelief.
What is happening? Maya whispered.
Liam's voice was low, controlled. Someone leaked the original files.
Maya's eyes widened. The unedited footage?
Everything. His tone sharpened. And it is spreading fast.
Maya felt her breath catch. She did not know how to feel. Relieved, shaken, overwhelmed.
Before she could form words, the murmurs around them grew louder. Tessa pushed through the small crowd and hurried toward them. Her face was pale but determined.
It was not me, she blurted instantly. I swear. But someone dropped the unedited clips into the senior group chat. Then the media club group. And now it is everywhere.
Maya blinked hard. Who would do that?
Tessa shook her head. We do not know. The files do not have fingerprints. The sender used an anonymous ID.
Liam stiffened beside her, but he said nothing.
Tessa glanced back at the gathering crowd where Vanessa now stood frozen as a group of boys replayed the original footage. Her voice could be clearly heard instructing others on how to distort Maya's video. Her laughter. Her taunts. Her plan.
The courtyard erupted with gasps.
Some students stepped away from her, disgust written on their faces.
Others exchanged uncomfortable looks, as if they were seeing Vanessa for the first time without the shine she had built around herself.
Tessa sighed shakily. Vanessa is finished.
Maya swallowed, guilt and justice twisting together inside her chest. She had wanted the truth out, but not like this. Not publicly. Not humiliatingly.
What is the principal doing? Maya asked softly.
They pulled her into the office a few minutes ago. Her parents were called. It is bad.
Liam's hand brushed against hers. Not grabbing, not pulling. Just grounding her gently.
Let's go, he said.
Maya nodded and followed him away from the chaos. They walked toward the quieter side of the school where the old trophy hall stood, mostly empty after hours.
When they reached the long corridor, Maya stopped and leaned against the wall, drawing in a shaky breath.
I did not want this, she said softly.
I know, Liam replied. He stood in front of her, steady and warm in a way she had never known she needed. But the truth was always going to come out. Even if this was not how you imagined it.
Maya nodded and looked down. I did not want to be like her.
Liam tilted her chin up, making her meet his eyes.
You are nothing like her.
Her chest tightened. His voice held a firmness that settled deep inside her.
But seeing everyone look at her like that… it felt heavy, Maya whispered.
Because you have empathy, he said. Something she never showed you. Or anyone else.
Maya exhaled softly. Do you think she will come after me again?
No, Liam said immediately. Then he paused. And even if she tried, you will not face it alone.
His confidence in her and in everything struck her harder than she expected.
By the way, Maya whispered, do you know who leaked the original footage?
Liam held her gaze for a long moment. Too long. Too steady.
Maya's breath hitched. Liam… was it you?
He did not answer right away.
His silence became the answer.
Maya's eyes widened. Liam…
He stepped closer, voice low and calm. I did not do it to humiliate her. I did it because the truth needed to be seen. And because people deserved to understand what really happened to you.
But the timing, the way it spread… Maya whispered. You could get into trouble.
I covered my tracks, Liam said simply. No one will trace it back to me.
Maya stared at him. Grateful. Scared. Touched. Overwhelmed.
You did not have to do that, she whispered.
I did. His eyes softened. Because you deserved justice. Real justice.
Maya swallowed hard. Her voice dropped. Liam… thank you.
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle.
For you, he murmured. Always.
Her heart raced. The hallway around them felt suspended in time. Quiet and warm in a way that settled into her bones.
Liam, Maya whispered, breathless.
He stepped closer, close enough for her to feel his warmth, close enough that she became aware of every beat of her heart.
Instead of kissing her, he rested his forehead lightly against hers.
Soft. Close. Meaningful.
I have you, he whispered.
Maya closed her eyes. For the first time since stepping into Ridgewood International, she truly believed him.