The space between us

Chapter 14;Payback

Stacys POV

“Stacy, wait! Can we talk first? Not as a bet. Not as a server. Just us.”

I didn’t turn around.

“We talked for 14 days. You lied for 14 days.”I replied.”We’re done talking.”

The door shut behind me.

*Computer Lab.*

Cold. Quiet. Smells like old coffee and printer ink.

I dropped my bag on Desk 3. The one in the back corner. No cameras. I checked last year.

Laptop open. Phone plugged in. File transferred.

My hands weren’t shaking anymore. That was new. I was shaking.No I was breaking. Now? Now I was cold.

Discord. School server. #general.

287 people online. on a Tuesday. Everyone’s online aren’t they at class. Everyone’s watching.

No….

The witch posted the video

How could she?

*@Sheila K* was still posting: Y’all think he’s sorry now?

I didn’t type. I felt like crying,sorry I was already.

*The server explodes.*

*@MasonP*: HOLY s**t she got played I knew it wasn’t real.

*@Lena 12*: SHE POSTED IT

*@Ava.Cheer*: Who does that nerd thinks she is???

*@TrentBase*:Cole,My man

*@Unknown*: brooooo

The typing dots appeared under my name. 200 people were typing.

I didn’t read them.

I opened a new tab. Screen record.

I recorded the entire Discord channel for 60 seconds. Proof. Receipts. Because Sheila might later delete it. Because Cole would beg admins. Because someone always tries to erase it.

Saved. `evidence_mp4`

Then I closed my laptop.

*Footsteps.*

Heavy. Fast.

The lab door burst open.

Cole Out of breath. Hair messed up. He must’ve run.

“Take it down.”

“No..I didn’t post it the witch did.”

“You don’t have to…”

“Sheila did not me.”

I stood up. Bag on my shoulder.

“Stacy, I’m going to get suspended. Baseball. College. All of it. That video…..”

“You did that.Go beg Sheila she’ll probably pity you.Not me..I only recorded what you said to me”

He stepped in front of the door. Blocking it.

“Move.You liar.”

“I would never”

“You already did. You grabbed my name. You used it for $100.”

Silence. Real silence. Not the game kind.

“What do you want from me?”He asked.

“I want you gone.”

I pushed past him. He didn’t stop me.

My phone was blowing up. Texts. DMs. Notifications.

I got a message from mom

“Stacy,your principal called. Come home now.

Home…..not possible I wouldn’t go to her place and see my stepfather’s stupid face.

*Mrs. Taylor*: Stacy. My office.

I blocked the second one. Kept walking.

*Mrs Taylor office.*

Mrs. Taylor . Debate coach. The only teacher who ever told me “You don’t have to talk. But when you do, make it count.”

She was on her phone. Put it down when I walked in.

“Sit.”

I sat.

“Do you know how much trouble you’re in?”

“Yes.”

“Cyberbullying. Defamation. Unauthorized recording. Do you want me to call your mom?”

“She’s already coming.”

“Then explain to me. Why.”

I pulled out my phone. Played the first video. The bet.

“Easy money. She doesn’t notice anything.”

Then I played the second one. His confession.

“I used you. It started as a bet. I’m sorry.”

Mrs Taylor listened. All of it.

“You could’ve come to me.”

“And you would’ve said ‘handle it like adults.’ Adults don’t listen to quiet girls, Mrs. A.”

She didn’t argue.

“Cole’s father is on the school board.”

“I know.”

“They will try to make this your fault.”

“Let them try.”

I pulled out the USB. Slid it across her desk.

“That’s the screen record. Timestamped.10:40am. 287 witnesses. If they delete the server, they can’t delete this.”

Mrs Taylor stared at the USB. Then at me.

“You planned this.”

“I reacted. There’s a difference.”

The door opened.

*Mom*. Face red. Eyes scared.

“Stacy. What did you do?”

“What I had to.”

Mom was really tensed she didn’t live with me since she married her boyfriend so I wondered why she was showing concern.

Neither of us spoke for 3 minutes.

“Are you hurt?”

Liked she cared

“No.”

“Are you okay?”

“I will be.”

“Cole’s mom called me. She said you’re ruining his life.”

I knew she came for a reason.

“He ruined mine first.”

“Stacy…”

“Mom. He bet $100 that he could make me laugh. He told his friends I don’t notice anything. He told everyone I’m easy. I’m not easy. I’m not a joke.”

My voice cracked on the last word.

*Mom* reached over. Squeezed my hand.

I flinched.

“Okay. We’ll deal with the school. But you’re not in trouble with me.”

I never would .

I nodded. Looked out the window.

I couldn’t sleep.

Not because I was sad. Because I was awake. For the first time in years.

I opened Discord again.

*Cole*: Stacy, if you see this. I’m not asking you to forgive me. I’m asking you to let me make it right. I’ll drop baseball. I’ll tell the board the truth. Just tell me what to do.

I stared at it.

Then I typed one word.

Nothing.

Enter.

Blocked him.

Tomorrow, I’d go to Principal Hale’s office.

Tomorrow, I’d face Cole.

Tomorrow, the school would decide what happens when you bet on a girl and lose.

But tonight?

Tonight I slept.

For the first time in two weeks, I didn’t set a stopwatch.

I didn’t count anything.

I just closed my eyes