The students standing around the punch bowl burst into loud laughter at Maya's calm, sharp words.
Beth: How dare you! My father can buy and sell your entire family's house!
Julian: Beth, your dad's company is currently being audited by my family's legal firm. I'd be very careful about who you threaten to buy.
Beth gasped, her jaw dropping as she looked between Julian and Maya.
Chloe: Beth... we should really leave. Everyone is recording us on TikTok.
Beth: Put those phones away! Turn those cameras off right now!
Student 3: Too late, Beth! You're already trending on the school page!
Beth looked around frantically. Dozens of glowing phone screens were pointed directly at her face, catching every second of her public humiliation.
Beth: You ruined my night, Maya! You ruined everything!
Maya: I didn't ruin anything. You ruined it for yourself the moment you decided to laugh at someone who was hurting.
Beth: I hate you! I hate this stupid school!
Beth turned on her high heels, trying to make a dramatic exit toward the glass doors. But in her blind rage, her long sequined champagne dress got caught under the wheel of Maya's abandoned wheelchair.
A loud ripping sound tore through the quiet air.
Beth: Ah! My dress!
The entire back seam of Beth's designer gown split wide open, sending hundreds of shiny champagne sequins scattering across the floor like marbles.
Beth stumbled forward, tripping over her own ruined hem and falling flat onto the hard gymnasium floor with a loud crash.
Chloe: Oh my god, Beth!
The crowd exploded into uncontrollable roaring laughter. Students held their stomachs, filming the scene as Beth scrambled on her hands and knees, trying desperately to cover her ripped dress.
Beth: Don't look at me! Stop looking at me!
Julian: Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Maya looked down at Beth, feeling no anger left inside her heart—only complete, peaceful victory.
Maya: Karma has a really funny way of working, Beth. Need help getting up?
Beth: Get away from me! Don't touch me!
Beth scrambled to her feet, holding the back of her torn dress together with both hands as she sprinted out the double doors into the rainy night, sobbing hysterically.
Chloe stood frozen for a second, looking at Maya with wide, terrified eyes.
Chloe: Maya... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean any of those things. Beth made me say them!
Maya: Next time, Chloe, pick better friends. Now please excuse us, we have a dance to finish.