Episode 14:SCHEMES AND STANDING TALL
475 Words
Maplewood College buzzed with whispers again. Amina felt a familiar tension in the air—but this time, it wasn’t just fear. It was determination.
Earlier that morning, Lena had spread a nasty rumor about Amina and Zuri—claiming they had cheated on a study assignment to “get special treatment” from professors. The rumor had already started circulating.
Amina could feel the weight of stares, giggles, and whispered comments as she walked to her literature seminar. But she didn’t falter. She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and met every gaze head-on.
“Is it true?” a classmate asked, smirking.
Amina took a slow breath. “No. It’s not. And honestly, I don’t owe anyone an explanation about my life or my relationship.” Her voice rang loud and confident, carrying across the classroom.
The chatter faltered. Eyes widened. Even Lena, sitting at the back, looked shocked.
Professor Kamau, who had been flipping through papers, glanced up. “Is there a problem?”
“Not anymore,” Amina said calmly, standing taller than she had ever stood before. “Just setting the record straight.”
At that moment, Zuri slipped quietly into the room, sliding into Amina’s seat with a sly grin. She leaned close and whispered, “That was beautiful.”
Amina smiled faintly, feeling a rush of power. The room seemed different somehow. Lighter. Braver.
Later, in the courtyard, Lena attempted to corner them, hoping to start a confrontation. “You think you can just… walk in here and act like nothing happened?” she hissed.
Zuri stepped forward, calm but intimidating. “Lena, back off. You’ve been caught spreading lies, and everyone knows it. Your little schemes won’t touch us. Not today. Not ever.”
Amina joined in, her voice steady and strong. “And while we’re on it, I’m done hiding. You can’t push me away. You can’t control me. I stand tall. With Zuri. Together.”
Lena’s face flushed red, her jealousy and frustration bubbling over, but before she could respond, a few students walked by, shaking their heads at her obvious antics. Humiliated, she stormed off, muttering under her breath.
Amina exhaled, relief and triumph mingling in her chest. She turned to Zuri, who smiled warmly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“You were amazing,” Zuri said softly. “Strong, brave… unstoppable.”
Amina laughed softly, heart racing. “It felt… good. To finally say it out loud.”
Zuri leaned closer, whispering, “And the best part? Nobody, and I mean nobody, can ever take this—us—away from me. Got it?”
Amina pressed her forehead to Zuri’s. “Got it. Always.”
The campus seemed a little brighter, the gossip a little quieter, and for the first time in weeks, Amina felt truly… in control.
- Writer
