The antiseptic smell of the medical room hung heavy, mingling with the rustle of papers and hum of fluorescent lights. Nurse Evans carefully cleaned Stella’s scraped hand and Grayson’s more serious neck wounds. The scuffle had been swift, escalating before anyone could react.

“You were supposed to be watching them!” Grayson’s teacher, Miss Albright, snapped at Sophia Johnson. “How could one of your students wander to the elementary school?”

Sophia flushed, guilt crushing her. She hadn’t kept a close watch; a restroom break had given Serena the opportunity to slip away. The intern, engrossed in her phone, hadn’t noticed.

“She pushed me!” Stella wailed, dramatically displaying a minor scratch. “She hit Sonny! Get rid of her!”

Teachers exchanged shocked glances. Principal Cooper arrived, her brow furrowed. Grayson and Stella’s influential families loomed large in her mind.

“Have you contacted Serena’s parents?” Principal Cooper demanded, her gaze sharp on Sophia.

“Yes, her mother’s on her way,” Sophia replied, nodding rapidly.

Cooper’s expression remained grim. “Good. When Grayson’s father and Stella’s aunt arrive, we need to be on the same page. We’ll place all the blame on Serena.” Her eyes drifted to the corner where Serena stood, small and alone. “Too bad for her. She’s the scapegoat.”