The performance was so absurd that Maya almost laughed, but the desperate fury in Evan's eyes stopped her. He was building a narrative and the realization of why hit her like ice water. There are dozens of witnesses, she said firmly, pointing to the sea of phones recording them. Everyone can see what really happened. Oh, yeah.
Evan backed away, pulling out his own phone. His fingers shook with anger as he dialed. We'll see what happens when someone with actual authority gets involved. Maya's stomach dropped as she heard his next words. Dad, you need to come to school right now.
That new girl, she just attacked me in front of everyone. She tried to hit me with her lunch tray. I think she might be dangerous. The gathered students exchanged worried looks. Many knew Evan's father was a police officer, and from their expressions, this wasn't the first time Evan had weaponized that connection.
She's been harassing me all day, Evan continued into the phone, voice trembling with fake distress. Recording me without permission, following me around. And now this. You need to do something. Maya stood perfectly still, her wet shoes leaving marks on the concrete.
She could run. Part of her screamed to get out of there, but running would only make her look guilty. Instead, she pulled out her own phone and began documenting everything, speaking clearly for her recording. Evan Lorn just assaulted me by knocking my lunch tray from my hands, she stated. Now he's making false accusations and calling his father, Officer Lorn, to intimidate me.