Two weeks later, Maya went back to class.Not because she was ready, but because staying away felt worse. The scholarship was safe. Her father was recovering. Her mother was finally sleeping through the night.There was no reason to hide anymore.But walking across campus felt like walking onto a stage.People looked. Whispered. Turned away when she caught them. Maya kept her head up and kept walking. She had faced worse than whispers.Bisi was waiting by the science building.She ran at Maya like a missile. Arms wide. Face wet before she even got there."Maya! Oh my god, Maya!"They crashed into each other. Hugged so tight Maya couldn't breathe."I'm okay," Maya said. "I'm okay."Bisi pulled back. Looked at her face. Wiped her own tears."You're not okay. You look like you haven't slept in weeks.""I've slept.""Liar."Maya smiled. "Okay. I've slept a little."Bisi grabbed her hand. Pulled her toward the bench. The same bench where everything had shifted between her and Ethan."Sit.
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