Chapter 20 - Sophia’s Video
Sophia’s original recording became evidence in several proceedings.
Months later, she was finally allowed to keep an archival copy.
She almost deleted it.
Hailey asked her not to.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
They watched it together once.
No adults.
No lawyers.
No reporters.
Hailey saw herself kneeling.
Smaller than she remembered.
Her shoulders hunched.
Tears.
Paper in her hand.
Mrs. Brennan towering above her.
Hailey paused.
“That doesn’t feel like me.”
Sophia said:
“It was.”
“I know.”
They continued.
Mrs. Brennan threatened the grade.
Hailey bit the paper.
Sophia stopped the video.
“I’m sorry I didn’t stand up.”
Hailey stared at her.
“You did.”
“No. I mean immediately.”
“You were thirteen.”
“So were you.”
Hailey smiled sadly.
“That’s kind of the point.”
Children should not have needed perfect courage for adults to act responsibly.
Sophia had done enough.
More than enough.
She had preserved truth when every adult system around them initially failed.
They saved the video.
May you like
Not as entertainment.
As history.
