Chapter 6: The Trap They Built For Me
The graduation hall was usually the happiest place in the school.
That morning, it felt like a courtroom.
Students walked past me whispering.
Teachers looked uncomfortable.
And I could feel every pair of eyes following me.
The rumor had spread quickly.
Apparently, I had copied someone’s design.
Apparently, I had lied.
Apparently, I was the problem.
The strangest part?
The person who stole my work was standing beside me, pretending to be innocent.
Mia avoided looking at me as we entered the administration office.
Dad walked beside me.
“You don’t have to face this alone,” he said.
I nodded.
But my hands were still shaking.
Inside the office, the principal sat behind the desk with a file in front of him.
“Aaliyah, thank you for coming.””
I sat down.
“Can you tell me what’s happening?””
The principal exchanged a look with the art teacher.
“A complaint was submitted claiming you copied another student’s design.””
I looked at Mia.
She immediately looked away.
“Who filed it?””
The principal opened the file.
“Your account.””
My heart sank.
“That’s impossible.””
“I know.””
The principal pushed a paper forward.
“This is why we called you before making any decision.””
I looked at the document.
The signature looked similar to mine.
But something felt wrong.
Dad leaned closer.
“Look at the date.””
I did.
My eyes widened.
The complaint was submitted at 2:13 a.m.
I was asleep.
“Mia?””
She looked up.
“What?””
“You had access to my laptop last night.””
Her face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“You’re accusing me again?””
“I’m asking a question.””
Mia crossed her arms.
“I was asleep.””
Dad looked at her.
“Then prove it.””
She froze.
“What?””
“Show us.””
Nobody spoke.
The principal looked uncomfortable.
“This is a family matter—”
“No,” Dad said.
His voice was firm.
“This became a school matter when someone tried to destroy my daughter’s future.””
Mia’s eyes filled with anger.
“You always make everything about her.””
Dad looked at her.
“No.””
He paused.
“I make it about the truth.””
The principal opened another file.
“There’s something else.””
My stomach tightened.
“What now?””
He turned the screen toward us.
“We found the account that uploaded the original showcase photos.””
Everyone leaned forward.
The username appeared.
My breath stopped.
Because I recognized it.
It wasn’t Mia’s account.
It wasn’t Claire’s.
It was mine.
But underneath the username was a hidden recovery email.
A recovery email that didn’t belong to me.
The principal clicked once.
And the name appeared.
Everyone stared.
Dad stood up slowly.
Mia covered her mouth.
Because the person behind the account wasn’t who I expected.
It was someone who had been defending me the entire time.
Someone who claimed they wanted to help.
And when the name appeared on the screen…
May you like
Dad whispered:
“I can’t believe this.””
