Maya's POV
My alarm rang so loud that it scared me out of my sleep.
I shot up from my bed, heart racing, and slapped the phone quiet. I had fallen asleep at my desk again. My books were still open, my highlighters were everywhere, and my laptop was burning hot from running all night.
I rubbed my eyes and groaned. Another day started and I was already tired.
I checked the time and my chest tightened.
I was late.
"Great," I muttered as I grabbed my backpack and shoved my notebook inside. "Late again. Perfect."
I rushed out of my room and almost tripped over a stack of unpaid bills on the floor. I stopped and stared at them for a second. The red letters at the top of the rent notice felt like they were screaming at me.
Due in 48 hours.
I swallowed hard. My throat felt tight. I knew I didn't have enough. Not even close.
My phone buzzed. A text from my roommate, Jenna.
Jenna: Girl you better be awake. They're cutting hours at the cafe today.
I stared at the message.
Cutting hours.
I felt a knot in my stomach. I needed those hours. I needed every dollar. Rent, food, Mom's rehab bill… everything was sitting on my shoulders at once.
I grabbed my keys and ran out of the apartment.
As soon as I stepped outside, my phone buzzed again. I didn't check it. I was too busy running down the stairs, trying to breathe past the panic in my chest.
When I reached the sidewalk, I finally stopped and caught my breath. Then I checked my phone.
One new email.
From Dr. Peterson.
My heart jumped.
Dr. Peterson never emailed early in the morning unless something big was happening. I quickly opened it.
Subject: URGENT Tutoring Assignment
My eyes widened.
I read the body of the message fast.
Maya, a high-priority student needs help. His tutor left due to a family emergency. The pay is double your normal rate. I know rent is coming up, so I'm offering it to you first. Please respond as soon as possible.
Double pay.
I froze right there on the sidewalk.
Double pay meant rent.
Double pay meant groceries.
Double pay meant I could breathe for one week without feeling like the world was crashing down on me.
My hands shook a little.
This felt like a blessing. A small light in a long tunnel.
I whispered to myself, "Please let this be real."
Before I could reply, another email notification popped up from the tutoring office.
Your assigned student file is attached. Please review before accepting.
I felt my stomach twist. Why did this feel serious? Why did it feel like the kind of job that would swallow my time and stress me more than usual?
But I needed it.
I needed it more than anything right now.
I sat on the nearest bench because my legs suddenly felt weak. With a shaky breath, I clicked the attachment.
The file loaded slowly. Too slowly. I tapped the screen like that would help.
"Come on," I whispered.
Finally, the name at the top appeared.
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then I whispered, "You have got to be kidding me."
The student's name was written in bold black letters, simple and clear.
Liam Carter.
I stared at it for a long time, like maybe the letters would rearrange themselves into another name if I waited long enough.
But they stayed the same.
Liam Carter.
The most famous person on campus.
The basketball captain.
The guy everyone screamed for during games.
The guy whose face was on every poster in the student center.
The guy girls talked about non-stop.
The guy people joked was basically a celebrity.
I closed the file fast and stared at the ground.
"Why him?" I whispered. "Why did it have to be him?"
It felt wrong. It felt unreal. It felt like a mistake.
Me? Tutoring him?
I was invisible. I stayed quiet. I kept to myself. People rarely remembered my name unless I tutored them. I liked it that way. It was safe.
But Liam Carter? He was the opposite of everything in my world. Loud crowds, bright lights, attention everywhere. He didn't even know I existed.
The more I thought about it, the more my heart pounded.
How was I supposed to sit across from him and teach him anything? What if he thought I was weird? What if he treated me like I was just someone paid to help him pass? What if he didn't listen?
I shut my eyes tight.
"No. I can do this," I said under my breath.
I needed the money.
I needed it badly.
I opened the file again, ready to say yes even though my whole body felt nervous.
But as I scrolled down, something new popped up in bold red letters.
Urgent Note: Student must pass this course to stay eligible for the season.
I stopped breathing for a moment.
So this wasn't just a normal tutoring job.
This was pressure.
This was responsibility.
This was the entire campus favorite athlete depending on me.
A tiny part of me wanted to scream.
Another part whispered…
You need the money.
My fingers hovered over the reply button.
Just say yes, Maya. Just say yes and fix your life for today.
As I inhaled, ready to accept, my phone buzzed again.
A new email from Dr. Peterson.
Maya, I need you to understand how important this assignment is. If you take it, you must commit fully. No missed sessions. No delays. It is high-stress, but I trust you.
My hand tightened around my phone.
High-stress.
Just what I needed when my whole life was already stressful.
But double pay…
My chest rose and fell fast.
I clicked reply.
Then I hesitated.
Was I actually ready for this? To work closely with the most popular guy on campus? To have everyone looking at me because of him? To tutor someone who probably had a huge ego and a very busy life?
I took a deep breath and forced myself to type.
I accept the assignment.
My thumb hovered over send.
My heart was beating so loud I could hear it in my ears.
"Just send it," I whispered.
I hit send.
The message whooshed off.
Instantly, another email appeared.
Session Confirmed:
Tutor: Maya Thompson
Student: Liam Carter
Tomorrow at 7 PM
Study Room 3B
My breath caught. Tomorrow. Less than 24 hours.
The words blurred for a moment because my hands suddenly felt sweaty.
I leaned back against the bench and stared up at the sky like it could give me answers.
Why did this feel like my life was about to change?
Why did it feel like this one job was bigger than all the others I had done before?
Then I looked at my screen again.
Liam Carter.
His name felt loud. Like it echoed in my head.
And I could not shake this strange feeling deep inside me.
A feeling that tomorrow's meeting was not going to be normal.
Not even close.
I shut off my phone slowly.
But as I did, one thought whispered through my mind and would not leave.
What on earth was going to happen when I walked into that study room tomorrow and met him?