Tessa grabbed the front of Maya's hoodie and pulled hard.
The fabric tightened against Maya's throat.
Nia moved in from behind and caught Maya by one arm. Paige took a step forward, then stopped. Her face had changed. She no longer looked entertained.
"Tessa, let it go," Paige said.
"Stay out of it."
Maya twisted free, but Nia grabbed her from behind. Maya felt the purple braids brush her cheek as Nia pulled her backward.
"Get off me!"
Her voice cracked across the courtyard.
That was when the crowd finally reacted.
Someone shouted, "Back up!"
Someone else yelled for campus security.
Maya could not see who was holding her anymore. She only knew that three people had surrounded her, and no one was asking whether she was okay.
Tessa reached for her again.
Maya lifted her arms to protect her face and pushed forward with all her strength. Tessa stumbled back. Nia lost her grip. Maya turned and kicked out when Nia lunged toward her again.
The kick caught Nia low on the leg. Nia stumbled into the vending machines and fell hard onto the pavement.
The laughter stopped.
Maya stood frozen.
Nia held her knee and stared up at her. "You attacked me!"
"No," Maya said, breathing fast. "You grabbed me."
Tessa came at her before Maya could take another step.
Maya tried to move away, but Tessa caught her shoulder. The two of them crashed against the edge of the table. A metal water bottle hit the ground and rolled beneath a bench.
Tessa swung first.
Maya turned her face, and the blow clipped her cheek. Heat spread across her skin.
Something inside Maya broke loose.
Not rage. Not revenge.