Just maybe

29 - Aftermath - Fin

The car's headlights carved two pale streaks through the dark road, their glow trembling against the trees that lined the narrow path. The night outside was suffocatingly still, except for the low hum of the engine and the faint sound of Azzi's uneven breathing.

She sat rigid in the passenger seat, hands clenched against her lap to stop them from shaking. Every time she shifted, pain shot through her side where the bullet had grazed her. She pressed her body toward the door, the handle inches from her fingers, but the gun on Maya's thigh kept her frozen.

Her tears came silently, hot and steady. She didn't dare make a sound.

"Stop crying," Maya muttered suddenly, her voice sharp as glass. "I said stop."

Azzi bit her lip, nodding quickly, trying to steady her breathing. "I'm not—" she choked out, voice trembling. "Please, Maya, I just—just let me go. You don't have to do this."

Maya laughed, a quiet, unnerving sound. "Oh, Azzi. You don't get it, do you? I have to. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this moment."

Azzi's stomach turned. She forced herself to look at Maya — really look. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her eyes wide and unblinking, darting occasionally toward Azzi like she was afraid she'd disappear.

"Waiting for what?" Azzi asked carefully, trying to sound calm. "I don't even understand—why me?"

Maya's lips curled into a small, almost dreamy smile. "Because you're perfect."

Azzi's blood ran cold.

"I saw you," Maya continued softly. "You probably don't remember, but I saw you play years ago. The way you moved, the way everyone looked at you like you were special... I knew you were meant for something more. For me."

Maya chuckled lowly, the sound cold and disjointed. "Azzi, You owe me. You owe me everything."

Azzi's chest tightened. "What are you talking about?"

Maya smiled—too wide, too calm. "Back then... you ruined everything for me. You took it all. The game, the scholarship, the recognition. You took my spot. I worked my whole life for that moment, and then you showed up. Perfect Azzi Fudd." Her tone dripped with venom. "And suddenly no one remembered me."

Azzi's mind spun. "So... you played too?" she asked carefully. "You were on the other team?"

For a moment, Maya froze—her eyes flicking toward her, the smile faltering. "Of course," she said quickly, a little too fast. "You just don't remember."

Azzi frowned, something not adding up. Her voice shook but she pushed. "But earlier—you said you saw me play. Not that you played against me. You said you watched me. That's not the same thing."

Maya's fingers tightened around the wheel.

Azzi's pulse quickened. "Didn't you say I took everything from you when your team lost to mine in high school? That would mean you played basketball too, right?"

Maya didn't answer right away. Her eyes darted toward the road ahead, then back to Azzi, her jaw twitching.

Azzi's voice trembled, the realization dawning on her. "You didn't play, did you?"

Maya's laugh came out cracked, forced. "You're trying to trick me," she muttered. "It doesn't matter. None of that matters anymore."

"Maya..." Azzi whispered, terrified. "You never played basketball, did you?."

Maya's head snapped toward her, eyes wide, wild. "Shut up!"

Azzi flinched as Maya slammed her palm against the steering wheel. The car swerved slightly before Maya corrected it, breathing hard. "It doesn't matter!" she screamed. "So what if I didn't play? I know everything about you, Azzi. Every stat, every article, every interview. I've watched every game you've ever played."