THE BOY NEXT DOOR
Maya watched from her window as some of the neighbors gathered around him, their faces filled with empathy and understanding.
For a moment, Maya forgot about her own pain. From her own window, she spotted Liam, pacing up and down in his room. She watched as he settled onto his bed, wiping a rough hand over the cuts on his face, blood oozing through his fingers. For a moment, Maya forgot her own pain, transfixed by the sight before her. Was he sad? Earlier, he had stood before everyone, looking like he didn't care about anything, but now she saw a hint of pain and anger etched onto his face.