Megan followed her glance. “Go ahead.”
The invitation was loaded.
“Run to a teacher.”
Simone turned back. “That’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?”
Megan’s smile weakened.
Rachel stepped closer.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve spent months doing something, getting disciplined, then blaming me for the consequence.”
Megan laughed. “You really think everything is about you.”
Simone pointed at the popcorn in her braids.
“You walked over here specifically to dump that on me.”
Students around them had started raising phones.
The movie continued behind the confrontation. Most people in front had not noticed yet.
Megan saw the cameras.
Something changed in her posture.
“This is what I mean,” she said loudly. “You always act like you’re being attacked.”
Simone shook her head.
“I was sweeping.”
“You love playing victim.”
“I was sweeping.”
Several students laughed, but this time the laughter was not supporting Megan.
That embarrassed her.
Simone continued. “You’ve spent the year calling me charity, acting like everything I have comes from Ridgeway, saying I only get opportunities because I’m Black, and now you dumped popcorn on me because I’m cleaning up after your station.”
Megan told her to stop lying.
Simone asked which part was a lie.
Megan stepped closer.
“The part where you make every joke racism.”
“I didn’t mention racism.”
“You were about to.”
Simone stared at her. “You keep bringing it up before I do.”
The crowd reacted.
Megan’s face tightened.
Rachel stepped between them slightly. “Just drop it.”
Simone looked at her. “Tell your friend to leave me alone.”
Rachel answered that Simone could walk away too.
“I am volunteering here.” Simone pointed at the broom.
“Megan walked over to me.”
Megan laughed. “Listen to yourself.”
Simone asked what exactly she was supposed to hear.
That was when Rachel became more directly involved. She moved closer to Simone and said everyone was tired of her acting superior.
Simone looked genuinely confused. “I’m standing next to a mop bucket covered in popcorn.”
Someone behind them laughed loudly.
Rachel’s face changed.
The comment had exposed how absurd the accusation sounded.
She stepped forward.
Simone raised one hand.
“Rachel, back up.”
Rachel did not.
“Or what?”
“Nothing. Just back up.”
Megan smiled again.
Rachel moved closer until the front of her denim jacket almost touched Simone’s bomber.
“You think because the school keeps protecting you—”