The question landed between them.
Mr. Pritchard did not answer.
Logan did.
“You.”
The gym seemed to go quieter, though it probably did not.
Logan wiped his face again. “You said if I wanted the robotics scholarship someday, I had to stop being the kid who helped and become the kid who led. You said nobody remembers second names on projects.”
Mr. Pritchard’s face went pale.
Priya looked at the recommendation form inside her bag.
Theo saw her look.
For the first time, he understood why she had hesitated before bringing the tablet.
Mr. Pritchard sponsored the robotics club. His recommendation could matter to her.
She had shown the photographs anyway.
The teacher asked another judge to take over the display and requested that Mr. Pritchard step away from judging until the fair committee reviewed the conflict.
He refused at first.
Then Theo’s father picked up the model bridge with both hands and moved it away from him.
The bent support made a faint cracking sound.
Every adult looked at it.
Theo’s father set it gently in the center of the table.
“Whatever happens next,” he said, “you don’t touch my son’s work again.”
Mr. Pritchard stepped back.
The fair coordinator arrived moments later. The notebook, Priya’s photos, the judge’s handling of the accusation, and Logan’s statement were all documented.
Theo was asked whether he wanted to continue presenting his project that afternoon.
He looked at the bridge.
One support leaned sideways where Mr. Pritchard’s thumb had pressed into it.
“I want to fix it first.”
The teacher found glue, extra cardboard, and a small cutting mat.
Theo’s father offered to help.
Theo shook his head.
Then he looked at Logan.
Logan stood several feet away with his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
