Chapter 4

The police took me to the station, but the mood was different this time. It wasn't a foregone conclusion. The public scene at the school had made them cautious.

As they led me out, I saw Bryce watching from the end of the hall, a smug smile on his face. He was coaching her. He thought he was in control. He was wrong.

I kept my phone in my hand, recording an audio memo. I calmly described the events, Jessica's conflicting accusations, my own alibi.

The crowd of students in the hallway was divided. Some glared at me, followers of Bryce and Jessica. But others looked uncertain. They knew me. They knew I was quiet, focused, not a troublemaker. They had seen Jessica's bizarre behavior that morning.

"Why would he do it?" I heard someone whisper. "He's going to Harvard."

"Yeah, and she slapped him first," another one said.

That was the crack in their story. The seed of doubt I had planted was starting to grow. I looked at Jessica, whose face was a mask of practiced victimhood.

"Your story from an hour ago doesn't match your story now," I said again, loud and clear, as the officers guided me past the crowd. "Which lie are you going with?"

Jessica's face flushed with anger. "He's trying to confuse you! He attacked me! Arrest him!"

The officers looked uncomfortable. This was messy.

Principal Thompson stepped forward, his arms crossed. He stopped the officers.

"Officer, a word. This student, Liam O'Connell, has a spotless record. Four years of perfect attendance, top of his class. He's never been in a fight. This other student, Miss Miller, physically assaulted him in my school hallway less than an hour ago in front of dozens of witnesses. Her story seems... inconsistent."

Jessica shot a hateful glare at the principal. "You're taking his side! Of course, the poor little genius gets special treatment!"

Principal Thompson's face hardened. "I'm not taking anyone's side, Miss Miller. I'm pointing out a pattern of behavior. You have made a very serious accusation. You had better be sure you have your facts straight. The consequences for filing a false police report are severe."

Jessica paled slightly at the mention of legal consequences.

The police officer sighed. "We have to take him in for questioning based on the complaint."

I nodded. "I'll cooperate. But I want it on record that I am doing so under protest, and that I believe I am the victim of a targeted harassment campaign. I will be publicizing every detail of this."

I saw the flicker of fear in Bryce's eyes before he masked it. He wasn't used to his targets fighting back. He was used to them breaking.

I wouldn't break. Not this time.