Linda spat.
"We'll report you for porn!These aren't decent.Scared of you?Greg,tear it all up—don't let our kids see those and get corrupted."
Parents agreed,clueless about art,only fearing for their kids.

Some streamers saw the paintings'value but dismissed a high schooler's taste,assuming I hoarded fakes.
No matter what I said,they had already decided I was a bad kid—what good could I do?
Greg,loving the praise,simple-minded,egged on,trashed the studio,shredding paintings beyond recognition.
I estimated the value of the paintings they damaged—enough to lock them up.
Police arrived quick,asking us what had happened.
Linda's bravado faded.She sobbed to the officers,performing.

"Officers,our daughter's phone is off.She called this afternoon,said she was at Emily's for her birthday,then vanished.Please help."
The officer surveyed the wreckage."You did this?"
Linda mumbled,dodging the question,stressing that her daughter's safety comes first.
Not gonna take responsibility?No way.

"Officers,my living room has surveillance cameras.I have proof they barged in and smashed everything.I tried reasoning,but they wouldn't listen and slandered me on live stream."
The officer nodded,asking,"You and Sophie close?Know where she is or if she mentioned anything?"
I shook my head."We're just classmates.She didn't tell me anything.I'm confused why she told her parents it's my birthday—it's not."
The officer noted and photographed the scene."You have Sophie's number?Call her."
I nodded.Linda cursed."Kids today lie so young.Officers,our daughter's phone is off—she might be harmed by her accomplices.Arrest her,interrogate her!"
The officer snapped,"Don't interfere with our work."
Linda and Greg only had the gut to bully the weak,they shut up.
I dialed Sophie.It rang—not off,as her parents claimed.
"Hello?"
Sophie's voice came through.
Linda tried to speak,silenced by the officer's glare.
With the officer beside me,I felt bold,putting it on speaker."Your parents are looking for you like crazy.Where are you?"
Sophie's coy giggle answered."Stop it,I'm on the phone~"
"Emily,just tell my parents I'm at your birthday,phone off,okay?I'm out with Jake,can't come back."
I sneered inwardly.Why do I have to cover for her?
A lifetime ago,I learned only in death how much she'd blamed me.
Coldly,I said,"Your parents are at my door!"