Chapter 5 Walking the edge

Subject: URGENT NOTICE – University of New York, School Administration

Dear Miss Carter,

You are required to appear before the university authorities today at 10:00 AM regarding matters of utmost importance related to recent events. Please report to the administrative office promptly.

Sincerely,

Office of Student Affairs

University of New York

The fork slipped from her fingers, clinking against the plate. Amelia barely noticed. She knew what this was about.

Her scholarship.

Her future.

Swallowing hard, she rose from her seat, her breakfast forgotten. She needed cool air.

She grabbed a note from the counter and scribbled a few word for Rachel when she wakes up.

Rachel,

I made breakfast. Eat something when you wake up. I'll be at school-call me if you need anything.

– Amelia

Tearing out the sticky note just dropped it on the kitchen island close to Rachel's plate of food.

With mechanical precision, she pulled on a clean

pair of jeans and a fitted sweater, ran a brush through her hair, and tied it into a loose bun. She had no time for makeup-not that it would mask the tension lining her face.

As she stepped outside, the morning sun felt harsher than usual. Or maybe it was just the weight of the unknown pressing down on her.

Her pace quickened.

Her ride to campus didn't give her much relieve and the moment she set foot on campus she felt worse.

It wasn't just her own anxiety-there was a shift in the air, a weight pressing against her skin, the unmistakable feeling of being watched.

At first, she ignored it, lost in her thoughts. But then... the whispers.

Hushed murmurs rippled around her, sharp and insistent she knew what it was about.

She kept walking, not allowing anything out her off more than she already was as she kept waking.

Passing through the fountain of the main courtyard, someone stopped her abruptly in a way to get her offended.

She stopped short, her breath catching.

It was Melissa Hayes-campus sweetheart. Rich, privileged, and always in the center of drama, whether she created it or not. Her short curls framed an expertly applied make up face and summed off with a Gucci sweater draped neatly on her arms.

Melissa crossed her arms, tilting her head in mock curiosity. "Wow," she sneered. "Didn't take you for the type, Carter. Sleeping your way into the industry? That's a bold move."

A sharp giggle followed from one of the girls flanking her.

Amelia inhaled slowly. Trying her best not to say a word or punch her in the face at least something worth removing that smug from her face. But she knew better than to add fuel to the fire.

Wordlessly, she stepped around them and kept walking.

Their laughter trailed behind her.

She didn't stop until she reached the administrative building.

Inside the administrative building she met an older woman putting on a reading glass which suited her facial features, she as she looked up as Amelia approached. Her expression remained neutral, but there was something behind her gaze probably recognition or perhaps pity.

"Hello Miss Carter, you can certainly go on in," she said, nodding toward the door at the end of the hall with a brief smile. "They're expecting you."

Amelia forced out a thank-you and pushed the door open.

The office was surprisingly large this was Amelia first time entering the office, stunned by the carefully crafted furnitures and high shelves filled with hundreds of books she doubt anyone has ever touched in years except the cleaner probably. The university's administration board members were all seated behind the broad mahogany desk that spread wide in the office

Dr. Caldwell, the dean, sat in the center, his graying hair neatly combed, his permanent frown deepening as he folded his hands on the desk.

To his left was Professor Hughes, her academic advisor, his sharp gaze unreadable.

To his right, Mrs. Reed, head of the scholarship board, flipped through a thick folder with unsettling focus.

This is bad.

"Miss Carter," Dr. Caldwell said, his voice even but firm. "Do pick a seat."

She sat facing the board member, gripping her hands to prevent them from shaking.

"Do you know why you have been invited here Miss Amelia?.," Mrs. Reed said, finally dropping the folder she had been looking at since she entered the board room.

"I have an idea." Amelia gulped

"Oh you do." Dr. Caldwell said letting out a loud sigh as though exhausted by the conversation. "This university takes pride in the integrity of its students, especially those on scholarship. Your recent actions have drawn significant attention and it's not just to you, but to the institution."

Amelia stiffened. "I was only standing up for my friend."

"And so the consequences has been intense," Professor Hughes interrupted. His tone was both unkind and reassuring at the same time. "The media coverage has placed the university in a difficult position. We have donors questioning whether they want to continue supporting students who-"

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

"-students who involve themselves in such controversies," he finished.

"I sorry if standing up for what is right is a problem but I really didn't do anything wrong," she said, her voice steadier than she fell as her hand clenched into a fist.

"The question isn't what Is right or wrong and we certainly aren't here to determine right or wrong," Mrs. Reed said coolly. "We're here to discuss the impact of your choices especially in this school."

Dr. Caldwell leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Your scholarship is not being revoked-yet. However, we are conducting a review of your academic standing, behavior, and the nature of this scandal before making a final decision."

A thick silence hung in the room.

Amelia forced herself to breathe. "So... what happens now?"

"You will be under academic observation," Professor Hughes replied. "And we strongly advise that you refrain from engaging with the media further. No interviews, no public statements-nothing that could escalate this situation."

"And if I refuse?"

Mrs. Reed's expression hardened. "Then your scholarship will be reconsidered immediately."

Amelia's throat tightened.

Dr. Caldwell leaned back in his chair. "We will reach out with our decision in due course. But before then it will be better for everyone you stay focused on your studies and avoid any more frenzy, in other word keep your head down.

Amelia gave a heady nod, knowing she had no other choice.

"You' may go now," Mrs. Reed said, already turning back to the folder she was reading earlier.

"thank you," Amelia said slightly above a whisper as she got up and left the board room.

Walking into the hallway, her heart pounded so loudly as she found her way out of the administrative building. How she so much needed to breath.

As she walked out of the building her pulse still racing as she pushed through the doors and into the open air she so desperately wanted to immerse herself in.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

Frowning, she pulled it out and glanced at the screen. A new email notification.

Subject: YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL

From: Unknown Sender

Her breath hitched.

With a deep breath, she tapped the message open.

You've made powerful enemies, Amelia. You don't want to be on the wrong side of this. Walk away while you still can.

No signature. No clue who had sent it.

Amelia's hands tightened around her phone, her fingers pressed tightly against her phone case.

Feeling a sudden wave of cold dread wash over her.

This wasn't just about the university anymore.

Someone was watching her.

Someone wanted her to back down.