Imani ducked low.
The grab missed.
Imani came up beside her and shoved outward at Kendall’s shoulder to create space.
Kendall staggered.
She recovered.
Came forward again.
Imani lifted one leg defensively when Kendall closed distance, forcing her to halt for half a second.
“Back up.”
Kendall swung wide.
Imani redirected the arm.
Kendall’s momentum carried past her.
One foot slipped on wet grass near the edge of the concrete where orange drink had splashed.
She fell.
Her back and hip hit first.
One leg lifted awkwardly before dropping.
The crowd went silent.
Imani stopped.
Immediately.
She did not follow.
She did not kick.
She did not strike.
She stood several feet away breathing hard, soaked from hair to jeans.
Kendall looked up from the grass.
Shock replaced anger.
For several seconds nobody spoke.
Then Kayla’s voice came from above.
“Oh my God.”
Imani looked up.
The two girls still stood behind the railing.
Empty cups visible.
That image would become important later.
Imani looked back at Kendall.
Then at the students holding phones.
She picked up the recorder case.
And walked away.
No final line.
No victory pose.
No threat.
She simply left.
Nia found her inside the girls’ bathroom six minutes later.
Imani stood beneath a hand dryer trying to dry the bottom of her shirt.
Her hands shook.
Nia locked the door behind them.
“I saw the video.”
“It’s already online?”
“No.”
“Someone sent it to me.”
Imani closed her eyes.
Of course.
Nia moved closer.
“Are you hurt?”
“My arm.”
“Anywhere else?”
“No.”
“Did she hit you?”
“She tried.”
Nia looked at the orange liquid still dripping from Imani’s hair.
“What is that?”
“Sports drink.”
“That’s disgusting.”
Imani laughed unexpectedly.
Then she started crying.
The emotional shift happened so fast Nia barely had time to hug her.
“I am so tired.”
“I know.”
“No.”
Imani cried harder.
“I’m tired of thinking about how I sound.”
Nia held her.
“I’m tired of wondering if being angry makes her right.”
“It doesn’t.”
“I know.”
“I’m tired of knowing.”
That sentence stayed in the room.
Knowing did not automatically make living easier.
Assistant Principal Morgan arrived several minutes later.
Cole came too.
When he saw Imani, his face changed.
“What happened?”
Nia answered before Imani had to.
“They dumped sports drink on her from upstairs.”
“Who?”
“Kendall planned it.”
Imani wiped her face.
“We don’t know that yet.”
Nia stared.
“She literally walked up laughing.”
“I know.”
“Imani.”
“I know.”