Breaking the Silence: A Journey of Unity

Chapter 4: The Incident

The day everything changed started like any other. Cassie and I had planned to hang out after school. She needed to grab something from a local shop before we went to my house, so we stopped there on our way home. As we browsed the aisles, I noticed the store owner watching us, but didn't think much of it at the time.

But when we tried to leave, the owner stopped us. "Let me see your bag," he demanded, looking directly at Cassie.

"What? Why?" Cassie asked, confused.

"You stole something. I saw you."

Cassie's face went pale. "I didn't take anything."

I stepped in. "She didn't steal anything. We've been together the whole time."

The man glared at her and called the police, ignoring me completely. Cassie was taken outside, searched in front of everyone. She was humiliated, treated like a criminal, and all for nothing. They found nothing, because she hadn't stolen anything.

But the damage was done. In the eyes of the town, she was guilty. The whispers started immediately. "That new girl." "Must be trouble." "You know how they are."