Chapter 4

The fallout was more spectacular than I could have hoped.

A week later, the Dean of Students, a formidable woman named Dean Albright, held a town hall Q&A session for our residential college. It was a typically boring event, until the microphone was passed to Molly.

She stood up, looking small and earnest in the large auditorium. "Dean Albright? I have a question."

"Of course," the Dean said, smiling warmly.

"The university sent out that wellness survey, and I answered it honestly because I've been feeling very anxious and sad," Molly began, her voice trembling slightly. "But my RA, Kevin, told our whole floor to lie and check 'No' on all the questions to avoid paperwork. I was just wondering... is that the official university policy?"

A stunned silence fell over the entire hall. Every head turned to stare at Kevin, whose face had gone from smug to ghost-white in a matter of seconds.

Dean Albright's smile vanished. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Excuse me? Your RA told you to falsify a university health document?"

"Yes," Molly said, nodding innocently. "He said it would be easier for everyone."

The Dean's voice was dangerously calm. "Kevin. My office. Immediately after this meeting."

The scandal exploded. An email went out from the Dean's office the next day, announcing that the original survey results were being voided due to "procedural irregularities." The entire student body had to retake the survey. This time, with a stern warning about the importance of honest answers and a reminder of the university's commitment to student well-being.

Kevin was officially reprimanded and placed on probation. He looked at me with pure hatred, but he directed his resentment at the most obvious target: Molly.

The rest of the floor was just as furious. Their shortcut had been ruined. Now they all had to sit through mandatory wellness seminars because the university was in damage control mode.

Molly became a pariah. People would literally turn and walk the other way when they saw her coming. She had created a massive headache for everyone, all while maintaining her wide-eyed, "I was just trying to do the right thing" persona. It was perfect.