"You won't need a classroom," Professor Lin said, and he pushed a glossy folder across the table.
"Excuse me?" a boy in the front row said, camera out, voice high.
"This is official," the headmaster continued. "Amara Mu joins us under special arrangement. No classroom. Independent study spaces will be assigned."
A chorus of phones rose like an accuser.
"Who's she?" someone whispered.
"Scholar from Summit Prep, rumor full ride," another answered.
"Is she serious?" June Ahmed's laugh cut through. "No classroom? That sounds like code for 'we hide the weird one.'"
"Ms. Mu?" Professor Lin glanced at the far corner, where Amara sat with her hands folded around a single binder. "Stand, please."
Amara stood because the room expected motion. Her binder was bare where other students decorated covers with stickers and signatures. She kept her gaze down.
"Amara," the headmaster announced, "we will not compromise your privacy. Security will escort you out."
"That's ridiculous," June said before anyone could stop her. "You can't lock her up and call it care. It's just—"
"Silence," Professor Lin cut in. "That will do."
Phones tilted. Someone filmed. A girl near the door took a selfie with the empty desk in the frame and sent it with a sharp caption.
"Look—myth confirmed," the caption said.
The students moved closer. Comments scrolled across a tablet. One boy tried to touch Amara's binder like a shrine. His hand hovered and then retreated.
"Why are you all
