Chapter 4

Tiffany joined Mr. Peterson's AP History class. For a week, things were quiet. Too quiet.

Then came the school board meeting. It was packed, parents, teachers, local press.

During the public comment section, Tiffany Hayes stepped up to the microphone. She looked innocent, concerned.

"Mr. Peterson is a great teacher," she began, her voice earnest. "But I'm a little worried. Kevin Lee is a fantastic basketball player, and we all want him to get his scholarship. But I'm worried he might be getting too much special help with his grades to stay eligible. Is that fair to other students who work just as hard academically?"

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Mr. Peterson, who was in the audience, shot to his feet, his face red. "That is an outrageous accusation, Tiffany! Kevin earns every grade he gets! There is no special treatment!"

His voice was loud, angry. Exactly what Tiffany wanted.

She flinched, looking like a frightened deer. "I was just asking a question. For fairness."

The damage was done.

The next day, local news blogs and parent social media groups exploded. "Athlete Favoritism Scandal at Northwood High?"

Selectively edited audio of Mr. Peterson's angry denial, without Tiffany's innocent-sounding provocation, made him sound unhinged and guilty.

Then, Tiffany gave an "exclusive interview" to the student-run news blog.

Tears streamed down her face as she recounted how she was just "trying to ensure fairness."

"Ms. Miller also unfairly tried to help certain students," Tiffany claimed, her voice breaking. "And when I questioned it, she bullied me. That's why I had to switch out of her advisory group, even though I admired her so much. It's so hard when you just want things to be right."

She was painting herself as a martyr, and I as part of a corrupt system.