Nia whispered urgently. Someone posted a video online, but it's been edited. It starts right when you defend yourself, not when they surrounded you. Aaliyah's phone buzzed with notifications. Students were already sharing the clip, arguing in comments about whether she had overreacted or defended herself appropriately.
The edited footage made her look like she had attacked unprovoked. "I saved my original recording," Nia said firmly. "The full version that shows them blocking your path first. Nobody's going to alter my file." Before Aliyah could respond, Marcus appeared at the building entrance. His expression was grim as he approached them.
"I heard what happened," he said quietly. "Aaliyah, you need to request the security footage from the camera above the brick building entrance immediately. Don't let them claim it's unavailable or corrupted. Dr. Hris emerged from her office carrying a folder. Miss Brooks, based on the preliminary investigation, we're placing you under temporary disciplinary review pending a full hearing.
You are not to contact Grayson Vale, Brett Maddox, Cody Mercer, or Tessa Lang while this matter is being resolved. That evening, the campus study room felt like a war room. Aaliyah sat across from Marcus and Nia at the long wooden table, her notebook open and pen ready. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as students passed by in the hallway, their voices distant and muffled. We need everything documented before they try to twist it more.
Marcus said firmly. Memory gets fuzzy. Details change. We write down exactly what happened right now. Aaliyah nodded and began writing.
3:15 p.m. Walking past the brick academic building. Grayson blocked the narrow walkway with Brett, Cody, and Tessa. He said they were going to teach you a lesson, Nia added, pulling out her phone. I'm backing up this recording to three different cloud accounts right now. Nobody's going to make my file disappear.
Her fingers moved quickly across the screen, uploading the footage that showed Grayson's group surrounding Aaliyah first. The original video was clear about who initiated the confrontation. Marcus opened his laptop and began typing. I'm pulling your entire competition history, Aaliyah. every tournament result, every disciplinary report. Five years of perfect conduct records.
Will that matter? Aaliyah asked, still writing in her notebook. Dr. Hris acted like my training made me automatically guilty. It proves you've been competing under strict rules for years without a single violation, Marcus replied. Martial arts tournaments have zero tolerance for excessive force or poor sportsmanship.
Your record shows restraint, not aggression. Nia looked up from her phone. The edited video online has over 200 shares already. People are arguing about it, but they're only seeing half the story. Aaliyah finished her timeline and slid the notebook toward Marcus. every detail I can remember.
From when Grayson first blocked my path to when security arrived. Marcus read through her account carefully. This is good. Clear sequence of events. No emotional language, just facts.