Here's why:
* Spelling: The vowel "a" is followed by a consonant ("i"). This is a typical pattern for short vowel sounds in English.
* Sound: The "a" in "braid" has a short, quick sound, similar to the "a" in "cat" or "hat".
* Contrast: Compare it to words like "braid" and "bray," which have long "a" sounds.
Let me know if you have any other words you'd like to analyze!