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Fallout
publish date:
2026-04-19 20:21:18
Latest chapter
The Switch Moving Forward
ARIA'S POVJanuary. Spring semester, second week.I went to Martha's church basement every Saturday. Eight kids this semester. Word gradually spread about the free piano lessons.Marcus could play a simple melody with both hands. A new girl, Sofia, seven, just started. She was shy but eager.They didn't know about my criminal record and didn't care about articles or scandals. They just wanted to learn music. It was the purest thing in my life.Campus felt different this semester too. The article was old news. Victoria investigation made headlines briefly, then faded.People stopped recognizing me and stopped whispering.I'm just Aria Chen, music education major, again.Sage was thriving too. Her portfolio review went so well they asked her to submit work for the spring exhibition.Cole and I were solid and planning summer together. For the first time in years, Victoria felt distant. Like a bad dream that was finally fading.Then my phone buzzed. Unknown number.And I remembered: she w
The Switch Fallout
ARIA'S POVThe article got published after the interview."The Perfect Victim: How One Teen Manipulated Her Peers and the System"It was everywhere and viral with thousands of shares.I was walking to class when a girl stopped me."You're Aria Chen."It was not a question but a statement."Yeah." I replied."My roommate was like your Victoria. She made me think I was crazy.""Your article helped me leave him. Thank you."She walked away before I could respond.It happened twice more before I could reach the music building.Strangers recognized me, shared their stories and thanked me. It felt good and validating until I checked my email.Message from professor Williams: Aria, we need to talk in my office by 2 PM today and it's urgent.'Urgent.'My stomach dropped. I went there exactly 2pm. She was not alone. A woman in a business suit sat across from her."Aria, this is Patricia Harris. She's on the youth center board."I sat, confused.Patricia spoke. "We read the article." She paused
The Switch New Beginnings
ARIA'S POV I stood in front of my dorm building three weeks after the conference in the state university with two suitcases, a box of books, and my keyboard.Mom and Dad were unloading the car. Sage was across campus at the art building dorms.Cole texted: Which building? I'm helping with the move-in crew.Me: Harrison Hall, Room 304.Him: Be there in five.A girl walked past with her parents, arms full of bedding. Another girl struggling with a mini-fridge. Everyone was starting over. Everyone was nervous and excited.Victoria's threat sat in the back of my mind like a stone. 'I'll be watching.' But she is not here. She's in a prison cell two hundred miles away.And I'm here, starting college and building my future.I grabbed my keyboard case. Time to move in.Harrison Hall was packed. Students were everywhere, parents helping, RAs directing traffic.My room was on the third floor. It was small but functional, two beds, two desks and a shared closet.My roommate hasn't arrived yet.
The Switch The Conference
SAGE'S POV August 5 was the day I was supposed to face Victoria. I woke at 5 AM even though the conference was until 2 PM. I couldn't sleep or do anything else. Seven weeks of preparation condensed into this one afternoon. The prep session with the facilitator in June, learning the rules and practicing what to say. The conferences with Julian, Lincoln High, Ashford Academy in July all went fine, surprisingly healing. But this one was different. This one is Victoria. My phone showed messages from last night that I couldn't answer: Aria: I'll be right outside the whole time. You're not alone. Julian: You're stronger than her now. Remember that. Mom: We love you. No matter what happens. I got dressed and went to the university alone. Aria offered to come but I said no. This was something I had to do myself. The restorative justice office is in the student services building. I arrived early. The waiting room was small and quiet. Comfortable chairs, calming colors, tissue box
The Switch The Decision
ARIA'S POV Sage has been locked in her room all weekend and won't talk to anyone or eat. She had just three hours to decide if she would face Victoria or lose the state university. She was just staring at that email. I knocked on her door. "Sage. Let me in." "Go away." She said. "Not happening. Open the door or I'm coming in anyway." Silence. Then the lock clicked. She sat on her bed with her laptop open. The acceptance letter on screen. She looked like she hadn't slept. Her eyes were red and her hair tangled. "I can't do it," she said. "You can't accept?" "I can't face her. I can't sit across from Victoria and pretend it's about healing. She'll destroy me all over again." "Then decline. We'll find another school." I said. "There is no other school, Aria. This is it." She was right. And we both knew it. I sat beside her on the bed and asked her to walk me through the conditions one more time and she did. "...And the restorative justice conference."
The Switch The Interview
SAGE'S POV Two weeks after getting the email, I stood outside the state university art building and the interview was in ten minutes. My portfolio case weighed heavy in my hand, twenty pieces spanning two years. Paintings about identity, truth, transformation. Everything I've learned were captured in oil, acrylic and charcoal. But my hands shook while holding the portfolio case. What if they ask about the gap in my education? The expunged record they're not supposed to see but might know about? What if being a convicted criminal, even with a sealed record disqualifies me? What if my art isn't good enough? What if I'm not good enough? I thought. I took a deep breath. The door opened and a student exited looking relieved. It was my turn. Three professors sat at a table in a bright studio space. Professor Anderson sat on the department chair, fifties, severe expression and arms crossed. Professor Kim, younger with a warm smile, covered in paint stains and welcoming. Profess
The Switch Waking Up Erased
SAGE'S POV. I woke up not knowing my name. My mind was blank and then it came back in a rush that made me gasp.'My name is Sage Chen.' I sat up very fast. I was on a narrow bed in a small white room without windows and just one door. There was a camera in the corner with a blinking red light. I
Last Updated : 2026-03-28The Switch The Lost Ones
SAGE'S POV Lucas Hartwell lived in an abandoned subway station or rather, he was hiding in one. Cole and Aria went to find him while the rest of us stayed behind to deal with the FBI. I sat and watched the agents as they moved, processed evidence and pretended as if they were winning when we a
Last Updated : 2026-03-27The Switch Two Weeks Later
SAGE'S POV "Your teachers are worried, Sage. You failed a quiz in AP History. You've never failed anything. You even fell asleep in English class.....twice and you didn't turn in your art project. Ms. Lopez said that's the first." I didn't respond. I couldn't sleep at night so I passed out duri
Last Updated : 2026-04-05The Switch The Confrontation
SAGE'S POV I wore the blue sweater that Julian has once said made my eyes look brighter back when he thought I was Aria because it could be my last chance. Aria watched as I got ready but didn't say a word but she supported silently. "What if he doesn't show up?" I asked. "He'll show up. He's n
Last Updated : 2026-04-04
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