Maya, Jenna, and Leah moved confidently through the crowd, their unique choice of attire making heads turn. The wetsuits, impeccably fitting, shimmered with hints of color as they passed, drawing admiration—and envy—from many students. Even Principal Harris, watching from her office window above, pursed her lips in silent disapproval.
"Looks like we're the talk of the campus again," Maya remarked, her tone laced with both pride and apprehension.
Principal Harris[/@ch_4], who sits behind her imposing desk.]
Principal Harris, a woman known for her strict demeanor, fixes the girls with a steely gaze. Her office, adorned with awards and framed diplomas, feels colder than usual. "Your attire continues to disrupt the decorum of this institution. As a consequence, you will participate in tomorrow’s assembly... in front of everyone," she declared, not offering any further explanation. Jenna's hands clenched at her sides, while Leah exchanged a worried glance with Maya.
Jenna paced nervously, her wetsuit creaking softly with each step. Leah sat cross-legged on a beanbag, picking at the seam of her sleeve. "We can't let her get to us. If she wants a show, we’ll give her one—but on our terms," Maya said, determination rising in her voice.
Principal Harris stands at the podium, her expression unreadable. As she gestures toward the girls, the crowd quiets. "We know some think we're different," Leah begins, her voice steady. "But what we wear doesn't define our worth, nor our place here," Jenna continues, meeting the eyes of their peers. Maya finishes, "We stand together, no matter what’s thrown at us."
Some students cheer, inspired by the girls’ boldness. Even a few teachers nod in approval. The principal, taken aback, can only watch as the trio exits the stage, heads held high, their punishment turned into a moment of solidarity. Outside, the sun shines brighter, and the campus feels just a little bit lighter.
