Maya's POV
Someone knocked hard on my door.
I sat up in bed so fast my head spun. My heart slammed as I reached for my phone.
12:47 AM.
Another knock followed, louder this time.
"Maya," a voice said through the door. "It's me."
Liam.
I jumped out of bed and rushed to the door without thinking. When I pulled it open, he stumbled forward like his legs almost gave out.
"Liam," I gasped. "What are you doing here?"
He stood there breathing hard, his right hand pressed tight against his left arm. His face was pale. His jaw was clenched like he was trying not to cry out.
"I couldn't sleep," he said. "It got worse."
My chest tightened. "You should have called me."
"I did," he said. "You didn't answer."
I checked my phone. I must have fallen asleep.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "Come in. Please."
I stepped aside and helped him inside. He leaned most of his weight on me, careful not to move his arm. I shut the door and locked it.
"Sit," I said. "Slowly."
He lowered himself onto the couch with a sharp breath.
"That bad?" I asked.
He nodded. "I can't lift it. At all."
Fear rushed through me.
"Liam, this isn't okay," I said. "You need help."
"I know," he said. "I just didn't know where else to go."
The words hit me hard.
"You came here?" I asked softly.
"You said I could talk to you," he said. "And I didn't want to scare my dad."
My heart ached.
I grabbed a pillow and placed it under his arm to support it. He hissed quietly but relaxed a little once it was settled.
"Does that help?" I asked.
"A bit," he said.
I paced the small space, my thoughts racing.
"Why didn't you go to the trainer?" I asked.
"Because if I walk in like this, they won't let me leave," he said. "And then everyone knows."
"And now I know," I said.
He looked at me. "I trust you."
That scared me more than anything.
"I'm not a doctor," I said. "I can't fix this."
"I don't need fixing," he said. "I just needed somewhere safe."
I stopped pacing and looked at him.
"Safe doesn't mean ignoring this," I said.
He closed his eyes. "Just give me tonight."
I knelt in front of him. "Tell me what it feels like."
"Sharp," he said. "Then burning. Then numb."
My stomach dropped. "That's not normal."
"I know," he said again.
I stood up and grabbed my phone. "I'm calling someone."
"No," he said quickly. "Please."
"Liam," I said, trying to stay calm, "this could be serious."
"I promise I'll go tomorrow," he said. "Just not tonight."
I hesitated.
He looked exhausted. Broken in a way I had never seen before.
"Tomorrow morning," I said. "First thing."
He nodded. "Okay."
I sat beside him. "You're shaking."
"Adrenaline," he said. "And pain."
I reached for a blanket and placed it over his shoulders.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"You don't have to thank me," I replied. "You scared me."
"I'm sorry," he said.
Silence filled the room.
"I didn't want you to see me like this," he added.
"I've already seen worse," I said.
He looked at me. "When?"
"When you keep pretending you're fine," I said. "That hurts more."
He swallowed.
"I don't know how to stop," he said.
"You start by admitting you need help," I said.
He nodded slowly.
"I thought I could push through," he said. "Like always."
"And now?" I asked.
"And now my arm feels like it's not mine," he said.
That scared me all over again.
"Lie back," I said. "Try not to move."
He did as I asked.
I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and wrapped it in a towel.
"This might help," I said.
I placed it gently against his shoulder.
He sucked in a breath but didn't pull away.
"Sorry," I said.
"It's fine," he replied. "I deserve it."
"No," I said firmly. "You don't."
He looked at the ceiling.
"What if this is it?" he asked. "What if this ends everything?"
My throat tightened. "Then you find a new beginning."
He laughed weakly. "You make it sound easy."
"I never said it was easy," I said. "Just possible."
He turned his head toward me. "Do you really believe that?"
"Yes," I said. "I wouldn't lie to you."
He studied my face, then nodded.
"I don't want to be alone anymore," he said.
"You're not," I replied.
A door creaked open behind us.
"Maya?" Jenna's sleepy voice called out. "Why is the light on?"
I froze.
Jenna walked into the living room, rubbing her eyes.
Then she saw Liam.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh my god," she said. "Is he dying?"s