For the first time that day, her hands shook. Cha stared at them, then folded the braid carefully and placed it in her backpack. A woman several seats away stood too quickly. Maya heard the sharp intake of breath. The woman, Margaret Ellis, 74, though Mia did not know her name yet, grabbed the shelter wall.
Her face had gone pale. Maya was on her feet instantly. Ma'am. Margaret swayed. Maya caught her gently beneath the arms and guided her back to the bench.
Sit down. I just got dizzy. Stay with me. Maya knelt in the rain blowing beneath the shelter. Can you tell me your name?
Margaret. Okay, Margaret. I'm Maya. Margaret tried to stand again. Maya kept one hand near her shoulder.
Not yet. I don't want to be trouble. You're not. Maya called for medical assistance, then stayed beside Margaret while they waited. She gave her the unopened bottle of water from her backpack.
Margaret noticed Maya's uneven braid. What happened to your hair? Maya looked away. Bad day. Margaret studied her, then reached over and squeezed her hand.
Well, she said softly. You're still here. The words landed somewhere Maya was not prepared for. She swallowed. Yes, she stayed until help arrived.
Asked for nothing, gave no name beyond what was necessary. Then she boarded the next bus back to Hawthorne. That night, Rachel closed the dorm room door and stood with her back against it. Maya sat at her desk. The severed braid lay wrapped in a clean towel beside the black bracelet.
Rachel's voice was quiet. You knew. Maya didn't look up. Knew what? That she was going to cut it.
Silence. Rachel took one step closer. You moved before she did. I saw you. Maya's fingers closed around the bracelet.
Rachel's voice trembled with anger. Now you could have stopped her. Maya finally looked up. Yes, Rachel stared. Then why didn't you?
Maya looked down at the bronze disc. For several seconds, the room held nothing but the hum of the heater. Then Maya said the words she had been avoiding since the scissors closed. Yes, a pause. And that's exactly why I didn't.
Rachel stood very still. The dorm room suddenly felt smaller. Rain tapped against the window. Somewhere in the hallway, somebody laughed. Then a door slammed.
Then the building returned to its ordinary night sounds. Maya looked down at the bracelet in her hand. Rachel sat slowly on the edge of her bed. What does that mean? Maya did not answer right away.
She touched the scratched bronze disc with her thumb. Cho. For years, the number had meant discipline, then pride, then something much harder. Come with me, Maya said. Rachel frowned.