Chapter 4: The Report That Existed Before the Incident
The next morning, Westbridge High looked exactly as it always had.
Students crowded the front entrance. The cafeteria served watery oatmeal. Someone had drawn a mustache on the poster advertising the fall musical.
But when Malik and I walked through the main doors, conversations stopped around us.
A boy near the lockers whispered, "That's him.""
Another student lifted his phone.
I caught sight of our faces on the screen before he turned away.
"Are people already posting about yesterday?"" I asked.
Malik didn't slow down.
"They were posting before we got to Marcus's apartment.""
He sight of our faces on the screen before he turned away.
"Are people already posting about yesterday?"" I asked.
Malik didn't slow down.
"They were posting before we got to Marcus's apartment.""
He showed me a school gossip account that had uploaded a blurred photograph of Ms. Carter leaving the building under security escort.
The caption read:
** showed me a school gossip account that had uploaded a blurred photograph of Ms. Carter leaving the building under security escort.
The caption read:
*Teacher suspended after student attempts to sabotage classroom surveillance system.*
I stopped walking.
"That'sTeacher suspended after student attempts to sabotage classroom surveillance system.**
I stopped walking.
"That's a lie.""
"Of course it is.""
The post had forty-seven comments and hundreds of views.
Someone had written that Malik was a troublemaker. Another claimed he had threatened Ms. Carter for refusing to change his grade. A third said the teacher was being targeted because students couldn't handle discipline.
No one had seen the recording.
No one had asked what happened.
But a lie.""
"Of course it is.""
The post had forty-seven comments and hundreds of views.
Someone had written that Malik was a troublemaker. Another claimed he had threatened Ms. Carter for refusing to change his grade. A third said the teacher was being targeted because students couldn't handle discipline.
No one had seen the recording.
No one had asked what happened.
But the verdict was already spreading.
We found Principal Harris in the main office, speaking to Ms. Reed beside a filing cabinet.
When he saw us, he ended the conversation.
"Malik. Ava. Good morning.""
"Someone posted that Malik sabot the verdict was already spreading.
We found Principal Harris in the main office, speaking to Ms. Reed beside a filing cabinet.
When he saw us, he ended the conversation.
"Malik. Ava. Good morning.""
"Someone posted that Malik sabotaged the camera," I said.
Harris's expression tightened.
"We're aware of the post.""
"Then why hasn't theaged the camera," I said.
Harris's expression tightened.
"We're aware of the post.""
"Then why hasn't the school corrected it?""
"We are preparing a statement.""
"Preparing?"" I repeated.
"People are calling him a liar right now.""
Ms. Reed stepped forward.
"Students spreading rumors may face consequences. We cannot make public statements about an ongoing investigation.""
"So the rumor can stay up, but Malik can't defend himself?""
"That's not what I said.""
"It's what you're doing.""
Principal Harris lifted a hand.
"Ava, I understand you're angry. But public statements can complicate an investigation.""
"Then school corrected it?""
"We are preparing a statement.""
"Preparing?"" I repeated.
"People are calling him a liar right now.""
Ms. Reed stepped forward.
"Students spreading rumors may face consequences. We cannot make public statements about an ongoing investigation.""
"So the rumor can stay up, but Malik can't defend himself?""
"That's not what I said.""
"It's what you're doing.""
Principal Harris lifted a hand.
"Ava, I understand you're angry. But public statements can complicate an investigation.""
"Then investigate faster.""
For a moment, no one spoke.
Malik placed a folded paper on the desk.
"I want a copy of the incident report from last year. The one involving my brother.""
Harris looked down at it.
"You're not entitled to another student's confidential disciplinary file.""
"Marcus requested it himself investigate faster.""
For a moment, no one spoke.
Malik placed a folded paper on the desk.
"I want a copy of the incident report from last year. The one involving my brother.""
Harris looked down at it.
"You're not entitled to another student's confidential disciplinary file.""
"Marcus requested it himself. He has a copy of the decision. He has a copy of the decision. He wants the original report and the audit history.""
"I can't release those records to you.""
"I'm not asking for them to be released to me. I'm asking for Marcus to receive his own records through the proper process.""
Harris stared at Malik.
Then he nodded reluctantly.
"Submit the request in writing. The district will review it.""
"And today's recording?""
"That has already been secured.""
"By whom?""
"District technology personnel.""
"Can we see it?""
"Not until the safeguarding review determines who is authorized to access it.""
Malik's. He wants the original report and the audit history.""
"I can't release those records to you.""
"I'm not asking for them to be released to me. I'm asking for Marcus to receive his own records through the proper process.""
Harris stared at Malik.
Then he nodded reluctantly.
"Submit the request in writing. The district will review it.""
"And today's recording?""
"That has already been secured.""
"By whom?""
"District technology personnel.""
"Can we see it?""
"Not until the safeguarding review determines who is authorized to access it.""
Malik's face hardened.
"So everybody can accuse me, but I can't see face hardened.
"So everybody can accuse me, but I can't see the evidence that could prove what happened.""
"That's not fair," Harris said.
"No," Malik replied.
"It isn't.""
He turned to leave.
I followed, but a voice from the reception desk stopped me.
"Ava.""
It was Ms. Reed.
She held a small envelope.
"I'd like to speak with you privately.""
Malik stopped beside me.
"We're not going anywhere separately," he said.
Ms. Reed's mouth tightened.
"This is a conversation about your role as a witness, Malik. Ava can make her own decision.""
"I've made it," I said.
"We'll talk together.""
She looked from one of us to the evidence that could prove what happened.""
"That's not fair," Harris said.
"No," Malik replied.
"It isn't.""
He turned to leave.
I followed, but a voice from the reception desk stopped me.
"Ava.""
It was Ms. Reed.
She held a small envelope.
"I'd like to speak with you privately.""
Malik stopped beside me.
"We're not going anywhere separately," he said.
Ms. Reed's mouth tightened.
"This is a conversation about your role as a witness, Malik. Ava can make her own decision.""
"I've made it," I said.
"We'll talk together.""
She looked from one of us to the other, then handed me the envelope.
Inside was a printed document.
*Student Witness Statement — Classroom Incident*
Several paragraphs had already been typed beneath my name.
According to the statement, I'd observed Malik shouting at Ms. the other, then handed me the envelope.
Inside was a printed document.
*Student Witness Statement — Classroom Incident*
Several paragraphs had already been typed beneath my name.
According to the statement, I'd observed Malik shouting at Ms. Carter, moving toward her aggressively, and interfering with classroom equipment.
Carter, moving toward her aggressively, and interfering with classroom equipment.
The final paragraph stated that I had not witnessed physical contact between the teacher and the student.
I looked up.
"I never wrote this.""
"It's a preliminary draft," Ms. Reed replied.
"Then why is my name on it?""
"We are collecting statements from everyone who was present.""
"That's not collecting a statement. That's writing one for me.""
"We have a standard format.""
"You included things I never said.""
Ms. Reed glanced toward Principal Harris.
He took the paper from my hand.
His expression changed as he read it.
"WhoThe final paragraph stated that I had not witnessed physical contact between the teacher and the student.
I looked up.
"I never wrote this.""
"It's a preliminary draft," Ms. Reed replied.
"Then why is my name on it?""
"We are collecting statements from everyone who was present.""
"That's not collecting a statement. That's writing one for me.""
"We have a standard format.""
"You included things I never said.""
Ms. Reed glanced toward Principal Harris.
He took the paper from my hand.
His expression changed as he read it.
"Who prepared this?"" he asked.
"Administrative staff," she replied.
"Which staff member?""
"Dr. Harris, we're trying to keep the investigation organized.""
He looked at her for a long second.
"Remove Ava's name. No prepared this?"" he asked.
"Administrative staff," she replied.
"Which staff member?""
"Dr. Harris, we're trying to keep the investigation organized.""
He looked at her for a long second.
"Remove Ava's name. No preliminary statement should be attributed to a student who hasn't reviewed or signed it.""
Ms. Reed reached for the paper.
Harris held on.
"I said remove it.""
For the first time, I saw something between them that felt less like a disagreement and more like a battle that had been waiting preliminary statement should be attributed to a student who hasn't reviewed or signed it.""
Ms. Reed reached for the paper.
Harris held on.
"I said remove it.""
For the first time, I saw something between them that felt less like a disagreement and more like a battle that had been waiting a long time to happen.
He handed the document back to me.
"Ava, don't sign anything you believe is inaccurate. You may submit your own statement.""
"Will that statement actually be read?""
"Yes.""
"By the same people who wrote this?""
a long time to happen.
He handed the document back to me.
"Ava, don't sign anything you believe is inaccurate. You may submit your own statement.""
"Will that statement actually be read?""
"Yes.""
"By the same people who wrote this?""
He didn't answer quickly enough.
Malik took my arm.
"Let's go.""
We returned to class, where our chemistry teacher announced that a substitute would cover Ms. Carter's lessons until further notice.
Nobody mentioned the incident.
Nobody asked Malik if he was hurt.
AtHe didn't answer quickly enough.
Malik took my arm.
"Let's go.""
We returned to class, where our chemistry teacher announced that a substitute would cover Ms. Carter's lessons until further notice.
Nobody mentioned the incident.
Nobody asked Malik if he was hurt.
At lunch, the gossip account published another post.
This time it included a screenshot of a document bearing Malik's name.
*DISCIPLINARY HISTORY: REPEATED INSUBORDINATION.*
There were dates and incident descriptions, each more damaging than the last lunch, the gossip account published another post.
This time it included a screenshot of a document bearing Malik's name.
*DISCIPLINARY HISTORY: REPEATED INSUBORDINATION.*
There were dates and incident descriptions, each more damaging than the last. One alleged that Malik had refused a direct instruction. Another accused him of verbally intimidating a teacher.
Some of the dates were familiar.
They were all from. One alleged that Malik had refused a direct instruction. Another accused him of verbally intimidating a teacher.
Some of the dates were familiar.
They were all from Ms. Carter's class.
Malik stared at the screen.
"I was never disciplined for half of these.""
"Can they Ms. Carter's class.
Malik stared at the screen.
"I was never disciplined for half of these.""
"Can they just make things up?"" I asked.
"They can just make things up?"" I asked.
"They can type anything they want. Getting it removed is a different fight.""
A chair scraped beside us.
Noah Whitaker sat down, still wearing his basketball jacket.
He placed a folded napkin on the table.
"You should stop digging," he said.
Malik looked at him.
"Excuse me?""
Noah glanced toward the cafeteria doors.
"Ms. Carter was under pressure. That's all.
She changed some grades. People change grades all the time.""
"People don't get to change grades because their parents donate money.""
Noah's cheeks reddened.
"My family has nothing to do with this.""
"Then why are you here?""
Noah leaned closer.
"Because my scholarship depends on staying eligible. Because the district is asking questions. And type anything they want. Getting it removed is a different fight.""
A chair scraped beside us.
Noah Whitaker sat down, still wearing his basketball jacket.
He placed a folded napkin on the table.
"You should stop digging," he said.
Malik looked at him.
"Excuse me?""
Noah glanced toward the cafeteria doors.
"Ms. Carter was under pressure. That's all.
She changed some grades. People change grades all the time.""
"People don't get to change grades because their parents donate money.""
Noah's cheeks reddened.
"My family has nothing to do with this.""
"Then why are you here?""
Noah leaned closer.
"Because my scholarship depends on staying eligible. Because the district is asking questions. And because if you keep pushing, people who have nothing to do with your complaint are going to get hurt.""
"Is that supposed to be a threat?""
"It's a warning.""
He stood so abruptly that his chair toppled backward.
Before walking away, he dropped the napkin in front of Malik because if you keep pushing, people who have nothing to do with your complaint are going to get hurt.""
"Is that supposed to be a threat?""
"It's a warning.""
He stood so abruptly that his chair toppled backward.
Before walking away, he dropped the napkin in front of Malik.
On it was a handwritten message.
*Ask Harris who approved Marcus's suspension.*
Beneath it was a date.
*May 19, 2025.*
Malik went still.
"What's that.
On it was a handwritten message.
*Ask Harris who approved Marcus's suspension.*
Beneath it was a date.
*May 19, 2025.*
Malik went still.
"What's that date?"" I asked.
"The day the district finalized Marcus's suspension.""
I looked at the napkin.
" date?"" I asked.
"The day the district finalized Marcus's suspension.""
I looked at the napkin.
"Could Noah know something?""
"He could be trying to blame someone else.""
Malik folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket.
But as the final bell rang, he didn't head for the exit.
He walked straight to the school library, where the district kept public board meeting records and archived policy documents.
I found him at a computer, searching for the date on Noah's note.
"Did you find something?"" I asked.
He turned the screen toward me.
It showedCould Noah know something?""
"He could be trying to blame someone else.""
Malik folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket.
But as the final bell rang, he didn't head for the exit.
He walked straight to the school library, where the district kept public board meeting records and archived policy documents.
I found him at a computer, searching for the date on Noah's note.
"Did you find something?"" I asked.
He turned the screen toward me.
It showed the minutes of a school board meeting.
A disciplinary appeal had been discussed under a confidential agenda item. Marcus's name wasn't listed, but the minutes identified the staff members who the minutes of a school board meeting.
A disciplinary appeal had been discussed under a confidential agenda item. Marcus's name wasn't listed, but the minutes identified the staff members who had attended.
Ms. Carter.
Ms. Reed.
Director Daniel Rourke.
And Principal Harris.
Below their names was a sentence that made my heart pound.
The committee approved the disciplinary recommendation submitted by the principal.
Malik clicked another document.
The recommendation was dated May 12.
One week before the committee meeting.
He opened the original incident report.
The report listed Marcus's alleged threat as having occurred on May 13.
Malik stared at the dates.
"They submitted the recommendation before the incident report had attended.
Ms. Carter.
Ms. Reed.
Director Daniel Rourke.
And Principal Harris.
Below their names was a sentence that made my heart pound.
The committee approved the disciplinary recommendation submitted by the principal.
Malik clicked another document.
The recommendation was dated May 12.
One week before the committee meeting.
He opened the original incident report.
The report listed Marcus's alleged threat as having occurred on May 13.
Malik stared at the dates.
"They submitted the recommendation before the incident report was even completed.""
"Maybe the date was entered incorrectly.""
"Then we check the original.""
He looked at the computer screen again.
was even completed.""
"Maybe the date was entered incorrectly.""
"Then we check the original.""
He looked at the computer screen again.
At the bottom of the page was an electronic signature.
*Graham Harris — Principal, Westbridge High.*
A new notification appeared on the screen.
Someone had just changed the document's online status from Available to Restricted.
The page refreshed.
The report disappeared.
Malik leaned back, his face drained of color.
"They're takingAt the bottom of the page was an electronic signature.
*Graham Harris — Principal, Westbridge High.*
A new notification appeared on the screen.
Someone had just changed the document's online status from Available to Restricted.
The page refreshed.
The report disappeared.
Malik leaned back, his face drained of color.
"They're taking it down.""
I grabbed my phone and photographed the screen.
The document was gone before I could capture every detail, but the signature and dates were visible in my picture.
"We have proof," I said.
Malik shook his head slowly.
"No. We have a picture of a document that someone can claim it down.""
I grabbed my phone and photographed the screen.
The document was gone before I could capture every detail, but the signature and dates were visible in my picture.
"We have proof," I said.
Malik shook his head slowly.
"No. We have a picture of a document that someone can claim was incomplete.""
He closed the browser.
Then he looked at me.
"Tomorrow, we're going to find out whether Principal Harris made a mistake.""
May you like
His voice grew quieter.
"Or whether he knew exactly what he was signing.""