Maya's POV
He grabbed my wrist.
I gasped and almost dropped the book in my hand. My heart slammed hard against my chest as I turned around fast.
It was Liam.
His grip was not rough, but it was sudden. Too sudden. I pulled my hand back right away, my breath shaking.
"Don't touch me," I said without thinking.
His eyes widened, like he had not meant to scare me. He stepped back at once and lifted both hands.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "I did not mean to do that."
My heart was still racing. The library felt too quiet, like every sound was louder than it should be. My palms were sweaty. My mind was loud.
This was the moment I knew was coming.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "We need to talk."
I swallowed. "About what?"
He looked around, checking to see if anyone was watching. Then his eyes came back to me. Sharp. Nervous. Focused.
"You know what," he said.
I turned away and grabbed another book from the cart. My hands were shaking, but I forced them to move.
"I don't," I said.
He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. Not touching me this time. Just standing there.
"You were outside the study room," he said. "You heard us."
My stomach dropped.
I kept my eyes on the book in my hands. "I was working."
"And you stopped," he said. "Right when I walked out."
I said nothing.
That was enough of an answer.
He ran a hand through his hair, then stopped, like the movement hurt. He tried to hide it, but I saw it. The tight jaw. The short breath.
"Tell me what you heard," he said.
My chest felt tight. "Why?"
"Because it matters," he said fast. "It really matters."
I finally looked up at him.
This close, I could see the stress in his face. Not the confident captain everyone cheered for. This was different. This was fear.
"I heard enough," I said quietly.
His eyes darkened. "Enough for what?"
I hesitated. My heart was pounding so hard I thought he could hear it.
"Enough to know you're hurt," I said. "Enough to know you're hiding it."
His shoulders stiffened. His lips pressed together.
"You don't know anything," he said.
I shook my head. "I know you're in pain. I know you're taking pills. I know you're scared."
That last word hit him hard.
He laughed once, but it sounded fake. "You think you know me now?"
"I don't," I said. "But I heard the way you sounded. You weren't acting."
He looked away. For a second, he did not look like the captain at all. He looked like a tired college guy holding too much weight.
"You should forget it," he said. "Whatever you heard. Forget it."
"I can't," I said.
He turned back fast. "Why not?"
"Because I tutor you," I said. "Because I sit across from you and help you plan your future. Because I know this could destroy everything you're working for."
His jaw clenched. "So what? You're going to tell the coach?"
"No," I said quickly. "I'm not."
He searched my face. "You swear?"
"Yes," I said. "I'm not trying to ruin you."
"Then why are you acting like this?" he snapped.
I flinched, then stood my ground. "Because I don't like lies."
He went quiet.
"I don't like watching someone break themselves just to keep everyone else happy," I added.
His eyes softened just a little. "You don't understand."
"Then explain," I said. "Don't corner me and demand answers. Talk to me."
He hesitated. Long enough for me to think he would walk away.
Then he sighed.
"If I stop playing," he said slowly, "everything stops."
"What do you mean?"
"My scholarship. My scouts. My chance," he said. "All of it."
My chest ached. "And your body?"
"That can wait," he said.
"No, it can't," I said. "Bodies don't work that way."
He laughed again, sharper this time. "Easy for you to say. You don't have thousands of people watching you."
I felt the words cut, but I did not back down.
"You think my life is easy?" I asked. "You think pressure only belongs to you?"
He frowned. "That's not what I said."
"I work two jobs," I said. "I tutor every free hour. I worry about rent every night. One mistake and I lose everything too."
He stared at me.
"I still don't lie to myself," I said. "And I don't pretend pain does not exist."
Silence stretched between us.
"I just need time," he said quietly. "That's all."
"Time makes injuries worse," I said.
He looked at me, really looked this time. "So what do you want from me?"
I did not answer right away. I was scared. Scared of saying the wrong thing. Scared of caring too much.
"I want you to be honest," I said. "At least with yourself."
He scoffed. "Honesty won't keep me on the court."
"But lies will take you off it forever," I said.
That hit him.
His shoulders dropped a little. "You're not supposed to know this."
"I know," I said softly. "And I wish I didn't."
He studied my face, like he was trying to decide something big.
"You could destroy me," he said.
"I could," I agreed. "But I won't."
"Why?" he asked.
I swallowed. "Because I see you. Not the captain. Just you."
Something shifted in his eyes. Something fragile.
Before he could speak, footsteps came closer. Voices. Other students.
Liam stepped back right away. The mask slid back into place.
"Remember," he said low. "This stays between us."
I nodded.
He turned to leave, then paused.
"Maya," he said.
"Yes?"
He looked at me one last time. "You don't know how dangerous the truth can be."
My heart thudded.
I watched him walk away, my thoughts spinning.
I knew one thing for sure.
Nothing was simple anymore.
And I was standing right in the middle of his secret.
I whispered, barely loud enough to hear myself.
"Enough to know you're lying to everyone. The question is, why?"