Within an hour, our group had established defensive position in the East Wing common room—doors secured, supplies distributed, communication channels established with allies positioned throughout campus. It felt absurd to be barricading in a luxury dormitory against our own families, but also somehow inevitable given everything that had led to this moment.
"Headmaster Sterling just sent email demanding all students involved in 'recent controversies' report to administration building for family conferences," Nick said, reading his phone. "Very diplomatic phrasing for 'surrender to parental authority immediately.'"
"Are we surrendering?" I asked.
"Absolutely not," Alexander replied. "We're coordinating unified response that prevents families from separating us and controlling narratives i
