Chapter 3

The backstage area was in chaos.

Shredded fabric lay scattered across the floor. Alexandria was being supported by someone as she sobbed so hard that her whole body trembled.

The moment she saw me, she broke down even harder. "Maggie, why would you do this to me? What did I ever do to you?"

"Maggie, do you have any idea how important the orientation gala is to the department?" Tracy demanded, her expression dark. "How could you pull a stunt like this and embarrass everyone?"

Christine stood beside Alexandria, looking deeply disappointed. "You've had it out for Alexandria since the first day of classes. We all saw it."

Becky piled on. "She's just jealous because Alexandria is prettier and got picked to host the gala. She's been giving Alexandria attitude in the dorm, and now she's resorted to outright sabotage."

I stood my ground without rushing to defend myself.

I'd lived through this exact moment in my previous life. Back then, I'd panicked and cried, desperately trying to prove my innocence.

I'd begged them to check the security cameras and sworn that I hadn't done it. But they'd told me the cameras were broken.

The harder I'd tried to clear my name, the guiltier I'd looked.

This time, I simply took a deep breath and said calmly, "I'm willing to cooperate with an investigation."

Tracy paused, apparently surprised by my response.

I continued before she could say anything, "But I want to see the security footage. The dress was locked in Alexandria's locker. The footage will show exactly who cut it up."

"Are you really trying to blow this out of proportion?" Tracy frowned with growing uneasiness. "Alexandria is already traumatized. Do you want to drag this out until the whole campus knows about it?"

"I know better than anyone how important this gala is to the department," I said, folding my arms. "That's why we can't declare someone guilty just because the other person cries louder."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Christine snapped. "Are you saying Alexandria is putting on an act?"

"Fine, check the cameras!" Becky chimed in. "They'll show exactly what you did. Stop pretending you're innocent!"

I remained unfazed. "I have nothing to hide. I just refuse to let someone's tears cost me my innocence."

Becky faltered. "Drop the act."

"Maggie, if you admit what you did and apologize now, we can handle this privately." Tracy sighed, giving me a patronizing look. "If we escalate this, it won't look good for anyone."

"How am I supposed to confess to something I didn't do?" I shot back. "Or have you already decided I'm guilty?"

"I'm trying to help you," she said with a frown. "Just look at Alexandria's mental state. She can't handle this kind of stress."

"So, should I just accept being branded a bully?" I retorted. "I still have four years left at this school."

Just then, the door to the backstage area swung open.

Steven Durham, the associate dean of students, walked in with several faculty members behind him. He glanced at the shredded fabric on the floor, then turned to me.

"Maggie Lomax?"

I nodded.

"What's going on here?"

I explained the situation from beginning to end, sticking to the facts without exaggerating anything.

After listening, he turned to Tracy.

"Have you checked the security footage yet?"

"I... haven't had the chance."

"This concerns the orientation gala and the reputations of two students. Get the footage. Now."

Tracy started to defend herself, but Steven's stern expression stopped her.

"Go ahead and check it," Christine muttered under her breath. "It's not like Alexandria did anything wrong."

The ten minutes it took to retrieve the footage felt longer than a century.

Alexandria was still crying, with Christine holding her close. Becky had her phone out, recording everything. I just stood in the corner and ignored them all.

As the minutes passed, Alexandria's sobs gradually subsided. Resting her head on Christine's shoulder, she occasionally glanced my way with a look of triumph.

I met her gaze without flinching, determined to prove her wrong. I'd like to see which one of us cracked first.

Finally, someone brought up the footage on a laptop.

On the screen, a girl with her back to the camera stood in front of Alexandria's locker. She was wearing my light gray hoodie.

She quickly pulled Alexandria's performance dress out of the locker and hacked it to pieces with a pair of scissors. When she was done, she locked the locker again and walked away with her head down.

"That's Maggie's hoodie!" Becky shrieked.