Maya leaned forward. I need you not to tell anyone. Why? Because I don't know what he's planning yet. You think he already knows?
I think he knows enough. Nicole looked at the phone, then back at Maya. Okay. Okay. I won't say anything.
Maya nodded. Thank you. Nicole stood. Then she stopped. For the record, I wasn't impressed because you can kick high.
Maya raised an eyebrow. What impressed you? You stopped. Maya didn't answer. Nicole picked up her phone.
That guy walked into your line and you stopped like somebody hit pause. Control matters more than speed. Who taught you that? Daniel, your coach? Maya nodded.
He says power means knowing how much not to use. Nicole smiled. I like Daniel. You haven't met him. I still like him.
For the first time that day, Maya laughed. The moment lasted maybe 3 seconds. Then her email notification sounded. Maya looked at the screen. The laughter disappeared.
Subject: Notice of student conduct review. Nicole saw Maya's face. What is it? Sia opened the message. She read it once, then again, her jaw tightened.
"What?" Mia turned the laptop toward her. The complaint was short, formal, carefully worded. It alleged that Maya Brooks had repeatedly displayed threatening martial arts behavior toward another Caldwell student, and had created a reasonable fear of physical intimidation. Nicole read the paragraph twice.
"This is insane," Maya scrolled down. The report had been filed at 3:18 that afternoon. Nicole looked up. Tyler, no name, of course. Maya kept reading.
There was no allegation of a punch, no kick, no physical contact, just behavior, posture, threat, presence. Words chosen carefully enough to suggest violence without describing any. Nicole felt anger rising. He's building it. Yes, he found out.
Yes. How? I don't know. Nicole pointed at the screen. You haven't threatened anybody.
I know. You haven't even told anyone you train. I know. Then how can he file this? Maya closed the laptop.
Because facts aren't what he needs right now. What does he need? A record. The word sat between them. Maya stood and crossed to the dresser.