Zoe almost laughed.
“You are the only person who has spent a year making my bicycle symbolic.”
The line landed harder than Zoe intended.
Someone behind them laughed again.
Evelyn stepped closer until less than a foot separated them.
“You love embarrassing me.”
Zoe shook her head.
“I want you to leave me alone.”
“You got me suspended.”
“You got yourself suspended.”
“You got me removed from leadership.”
“You violated the directive.”
“Because you report everything.”
“Because you keep doing things.”
Evelyn shoved lightly at Zoe’s shoulder.
Zoe stepped back.
“Do not touch me.”
Evelyn’s smile returned.
“There it is.”
Zoe knew exactly what she meant.
The temper. The aggression.
The version Evelyn had been trying to manufacture all year.
Zoe raised both hands, palms open.
“I’m picking up my books and leaving.”
Evelyn shifted sideways.
“No.”
Zoe looked toward the students recording.
“You wanted cameras.”
Evelyn glanced behind her.
“Everything isn’t about you.”
“You came over here while your friend started filming.”
The friend lowered the phone slightly.
Evelyn’s expression changed again.
She raised one hand.
The first swing came quickly.
Zoe leaned backward.
The hand missed.
Gasps moved through the students.
Zoe stepped away.
“Stop.”
Evelyn came forward again.
Another swing.
Zoe blocked it with her forearm.
She moved toward open pavement beside the racks.
“Stop.”
Evelyn followed.
A third attack came wider.
Zoe slipped outside the arm.
Still no counter.
Still distance.
Tanya’s voice returned automatically.
If you can step away, step away.
Evelyn rushed again.
This time she grabbed toward Zoe’s shirt and swung with the other hand.
Zoe broke the grip.
She delivered one short counter to create space.
Evelyn stumbled backward.
Zoe stopped.
There were almost six feet between them.
The confrontation could have ended.
Evelyn came forward again.
She swung.