Chapter 13 - The Girl in the Video
The graduation clip reached two hundred thousand views.
By Friday, strangers knew Nia Bennett’s name.
Most did not know the truth.
Some did not care.
Short videos flattened people.
Villain.
Victim.
Cheater.
Pregnant best friend.
Angry girlfriend.
The internet loved categories more than context.
Nia deleted social media apps from her phone.
She still heard about the posts through friends.
One classmate texted:
Girl everybody is switching sides now after Jasmine posted.
Nia did not reply.
She did not want sides.
She wanted her life back.
That afternoon a local entertainment account requested an interview.
DECLINED.
Another offered money for “exclusive details.”
DECLINED.
A podcast sent:
Your betrayal story could help other young women.
DECLINED.
Ms. Bennett was furious.
“They’re treating your pain like content.”
Nia looked at the banner.
“So was Kendra.”
Malik’s cousin had deleted her original video.
Too late.
Copies remained everywhere.
Then another clip surfaced.
This one showed Nia throwing her graduation cap at Malik.
The caption:
She assaulted him because he cheated.
Nia stared in disbelief.
“The cap weighs four ounces.”
Ms. Bennett almost smiled.
Almost.
Mr. Greene advised her not to engage.
Detective Reed said the video did not materially affect the investigation.
Hawthorne said nothing publicly.
Nia appreciated them for that.
Jasmine, however, kept posting clarifications.
She explained that Nia had discovered a months-long betrayal.
She admitted she had participated.
She asked people to stop harassing Nia.
The harassment shifted toward Jasmine.
Homewrecker.
Snake.
Baby trapper.
Nia hated seeing it.
Not because Jasmine was innocent.
Because cruelty was not accountability.
She called Jasmine.
“Stop posting.”
Jasmine sounded surprised.
“Why?”
“Because people are attacking you now.”
“I deserve some of it.”
“No.”
Nia’s response came instantly.
“You deserve consequences from people you hurt. You do not deserve thousands of strangers threatening you.”
Jasmine cried softly.
“Why do you care?”
Nia closed her eyes.
“Because I’m angry, not evil.”
Jasmine became silent.
Nia continued.
“Delete the apps.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Do what you want.”
Old habit.
Nia heard herself giving Jasmine advice as if nothing had happened.
She hated the familiarity.
“Nia?”
“What?”
“I miss you.”
The words hurt more than insults ever could.
Nia’s throat tightened.
“You should.”
“I know.”
“I miss who I thought you were.”
Jasmine began crying.
Nia ended the call before she joined her.
That evening Nia met two friends, Tasha and Camille, at a coffee shop.
Neither asked for details.
That kindness nearly made her cry.
Tasha talked about summer jobs.
Camille complained about her roommate assignment.
Normal conversations.
Nia had forgotten how badly she needed them.
Then Malik walked into the café.
He stopped when he saw her.
Tasha muttered, “You have got to be kidding.”
Malik approached cautiously.
“Nia.”
She stood.
“No.”
“I just need—”
“No.”
“Please.”
“You keep deciding what you need matters more than what I said.”
Customers were watching.
Malik lowered his voice.
“I didn’t send the trust emails.”
“You’ve said that.”
“It was Jasmine.”
Nia froze.
Tasha and Camille exchanged looks.
Malik continued.
“She sent them.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“Why would she?”
“Because she wanted us over.”
Nia laughed.
“She didn’t need financial fraud to accomplish that.”
“She wanted you gone.”
“That contradicts everything else.”
“Ask her.”
Malik stepped closer.
“She hated Hawthorne too.”
“I know she was insecure.”
“You don’t know everything.”
Nia’s voice became cold.
“Then say what you came to say.”
Malik glanced around.
“She told me if you went away, you’d forget both of us.”
“That isn’t news.”
“She was the one who suggested changing your housing.”
Nia’s pulse increased.
“What?”
Malik nodded.
“She said if your dorm got messed up, maybe you’d defer.”
“Do you have proof?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
“Then leave.”
“Nia.”
“Leave.”
Malik’s expression hardened.
For one second, she saw the boy who had resented her future.
“You believe everything she says now?”
“No.”
Nia met his eyes.
“I believe evidence.”
He looked wounded.
“After two years together?”
“After what you did, two years isn’t evidence of anything except access.”
Malik stared at her.
Then left.
Tasha exhaled.
“Damn.”
Nia sat down.
Her hands were shaking.
That night she called Jasmine.
“Malik says changing my housing was your idea.”
Silence.
Nia closed her eyes.
Not again.
“Jasmine.”
“It wasn’t exactly like that.”
Nia laughed bitterly.
“Of course it wasn’t.”
Jasmine whispered, “I made a joke.”
“What joke?”
“I said if your dorm disappeared, maybe the universe wanted you home.”
Nia stopped breathing.
“And Malik took it seriously?”
“I didn’t think he would.”
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“When did you say it?”
“Two days before your account was changed.”
