The rest of the afternoon moved slowly. Maya walked the halls of the house, trying to look calm, but she could feel the eyes on her. Every time she turned a corner, someone was there. Some stopped talking when she passed. Others didn’t even bother to hide their stares. Their looks were not kind. They made her feel so uncomfortable.

She tried to ignore it, keeping her head up, but inside her stomach felt heavy. She did not belong here, and everyone wanted her to know it.

When evening came, ...