“You always run to an administrator.”
“You violated a direct order.”
“Because of water?”
Imani tried stepping around.
Avery shifted with her.
Students began telling Avery to let her leave.
The audience was changing.
That mattered.
Avery had designed the prank expecting laughter. Some students had laughed at first.
Now people were seeing Imani soaked, shivering, and trying to leave while Avery blocked the door.
The joke was becoming evidence.
Avery needed control back.
“You act like everybody is attacking you,” she said loudly.
Imani pointed toward the bucket.
“You set a trap over a door specifically for me.”
“It was funny.”
“To who?”
Avery looked toward the class.
Nobody answered.
Imani shook her head.
“That’s what I thought.”
Avery’s face reddened.
She stepped close enough that less than a foot remained between them.
“You think you’re so much better than everybody.”
Imani laughed once.
“I am standing here soaking wet because you balanced a bucket over a classroom door.”
Somebody in the back laughed.
Not at Imani.
Avery heard it.
Her expression changed.
“Shut up.”
“No.”
Imani moved toward the side.
“Move.”
Avery’s hand rose.
The first strike happened quickly.
Her arm swung toward Imani’s face.
Imani leaned backward.
The blow missed most of her.
The room erupted.
Imani stepped away.
“Stop.”
Avery came forward again.
The second swing reached closer.
Imani blocked with her forearm.
She did not strike back immediately.
She moved sideways between two desks.
Avery followed.
“Stop!”
Avery swung again.
This time Imani countered.
One short strike.
Enough to create distance.
Avery stumbled backward.
Imani stopped.