She took out the spiral notebook, opened to the next clean page, wrote the date. 18 p.m. formal conduct complaint alleging threatening martial arts behavior. Nicole watched her. You're really going to just keep writing everything down. Maya looked at her.
No. She closed the notebook. I'm going to find out who taught him exactly where to aim. For 2 days, nothing happened. That was almost worse. Maya went to class, trained before dawn, worked evenings at second table, answered the conduct office with precise language, and attached every document they requested.
Tyler did not approach her. He did not post anything new. He did not even look at her when they passed near Grant House Cafe. The silence felt deliberate, like someone stepping back before throwing something heavier. On Thursday afternoon, Nicole found out what it was.
She came into their room at 4:20 wearing her hospital scrubs under a winter coat, dropped her backpack beside the bed, and stood there without taking the coat off. Maya looked up from her notes. "What happened?" Nicole held out her phone. Her face had gone pale.
I got called into clinical administration. Maya stood. Why? Anonymous complaint. The words landed differently now.
Nicole unlocked the screen and handed it over. The allegation claimed she had falsified part of a clinical coursework submission and improperly reused material from another student. Maya read it once, then again. When did they say it was filed? This morning.
Your paper written last week. Submitted Monday. Drafts. Nicole stared at her. I have all of them.
How many? Eight. Maybe nine. Timestamped? Yes.
Cloud history? Yes. Maya handed the phone back. Good. Nicole blinked.
Good. Good means you can prove your work existed before the final submission. Nicole sank onto the bed. If they suspend me from the internship while they investigate, I lose hours. If I lose enough hours, I have to repeat the placement.
Maya sat beside her. We're not not letting that happen. Nicole's eyes hardened. This is because of you. Maya did not flinch.
Nicole immediately regretted the words. I don't mean I know what you mean. No, Maya. I mean because of him. Because I'm your roommate.
Maya looked at the floor. That was exactly what made it hurt. Tyler had stopped attacking the wall. Now he was attacking whatever stood beside it. Nicole took a slow breath.
They also asked whether you've ever talked to me about handling the person who filed your conduct complaint. Maya looked up. What did you say? That you've never threatened anybody? That you barely threaten house plants when they die.