Maya sat on the edge of her bunk, staring at the untouched textbook in front of her. Words blurred into nothing. Her eyes had been staring at the same page for twenty minutes, but none of it registered.
Practice had carried on without Ethan. Coach had run them harder than usual, voice sharp with frustration every time he looked at the empty captain's spot. The team had felt fractured without their leader. Passes went wide, formations fell apart, and Maya had played worse than she had in months.
Because I couldn't stop looking for him. Couldn't stop hoping he'd show up.
But he hadn't. And Coach's glares had only deepened the cracks forming in the team.
The knock on her door was soft at first, then firmer.
Maya didn't move. Please just go away.
"It's me." Mateo's voice carried through the door. "I know you're in there."
She closed her eyes. Not now. I can't deal with this now.
But Mateo knocked again, more insistent. "Alex. Please."
