At Caswell Prep, it's the night before the Tri-school Jabec Beard Art Prize submissions are due. The prestigious prize not only offers a summer course and artist-shadow opportunity, but, more importantly for some students, it offers a certain reputation. The prize prompts students to tell their truth: precisely what Nivia is so afraid to do. The next day, her parents will arrive and find out she hasn't applied early decision to their pre-law program of choice. Tonight, Nivia sneaks in her dorm room window and heads to the showers. She hears her roommate, Ryan, crying in one of the stalls. Ryan's family members are all artists or curators and Ryan can't bear to disappoint them if she doesn't win the prize. The next morning, the art building is blocked off, but as students enter slowly, they see another student has transformed an original Jabec piece. While some teachers and students call it vandalism, others marvel at the masterpiece. Nivia, terrified people will find out she did it and also proud of her work, isn't sure how to act. In their art class, their teacher, Ms. Teresi, asks the students about the work. While they discuss, Headmaster Ewing walks in and demands to know who did it. To everyone's surprise, especially Nivia, Ryan claims it's her work. Later, Ryan tells Nivia that she had to lie in order to win the prize; Ryan knew it was Nivia's work. Ryan faces no repercussions for her alleged vandalism. Although Nivia wants to own up to her actions, as one of the few Black students and without Ryan's familial ties, she cannot. At dinner, Nivia's father addresses one of her secrets — he knows she hasn't applied to a pre-law program. Nivia explains she only wants to go to art school, but her father won't budge. In the auditorium, Nivia sits with her family and waits to hear who won the prize. Ms. Teresi scrolls through various submissions, but she pauses at the vandalized Jabec piece. At the next submission, though, the room gasps collectively. Nivia's face is collaged into a striking self-portrait in the same style as the Jabec piece, but she once again hasn't signed her name. Slowly, Nivia stands up and admits that both these pieces are her truth.