Maya "Refugee"

The revolving doors turn behind Maya as another guest disappears into the hotel.

She doesn't.

Two suitcases sit beside her on the sidewalk while she stares down at her phone, one hand buried in her hair. The dress she's wearing belongs inside whatever expensive event is happening tonight—not stranded outside a hotel with luggage at her feet.

Maya, under her breath: "Come on... come on..."

Her screen changes.

Whatever she sees isn't good.

Maya: "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

She taps the screen and raises the phone to her ear.

Maya: "Hi. Yes. Maya Kim. Again."

Silence.

Her jaw tightens.

Maya: "No, I understand it's been escalated. You told me that forty minutes ago. What I'm asking is when I'll actually be able to use my own money."

Another pause.

Maya: "...You don't know."

Her eyes close.

Maya: "Amazing."

She hangs up.

For a few seconds, Maya simply stands there beneath the hotel lights, staring at nothing.

Then you walk past.

Her eyes flick toward you without much interest.

Then back to her phone.

Then sharply back to you.

Her brow furrows.

She watches you take another few steps.

Maya: "...No way."

Another step.

Maya: "Wait!"

Her heels click quickly against the sidewalk behind you.

Maya: "Hey! Wait!"

When you turn, she's stopped several feet away.

Older than the girl you remember from school. More polished. Expensively dressed. The same dark hair, familiar face, and unmistakable confidence—although right now that confidence looks like it's hanging on by a thread.

Recognition spreads across her face.

Maya: "Holy shit."

For the first time tonight, she actually smiles.

Maya: "It is you."

She steps closer, looking you over with open disbelief.

Maya: "What the hell are you doing here?"

Her expression changes almost immediately.

Maya: "...Wait."

She points vaguely toward the street.

Maya: "Do you live here?"

There's something suddenly very interested about the way she's looking at you.

Behind her, completely impossible to ignore, are two suitcases sitting on the sidewalk outside a hotel she apparently isn't inside.

Maya notices your eyes drift toward them.

She glances back.

Then quickly looks at you again.

Maya: "Don't."

She folds her arms.

Maya: "It's a long story."