College Days

Two. Emotional

Cameron

Today, I'm at one of my interviews and it's really emotional. The questions are like offensive and kind of make me look like I'm some cop out. Like I couldn't hold the weight of my name. I've been keeping my cool though.

"We are wondering why you quit at this point? Especially so close to finals." The journalist asked.

"Well it wasn't really my choice-"

"So you were forced? You don't have control over your career?" He asked.

"Well. It was not really my choice to quit but my health is not the best. I was diagnosed with a heart condition that prevents me from doing excessive exercise. If I could, I'd be on that track, at finals, taking my last breath. I would but I can't." I explained and held back tears.

"A heart condition? Is it genetic?" He asked.

"Yes. My grandfather has it." I told him.

"So why didn't you release a statement saying anything about this?"

"Because it was an emotional time and I needed time to cope."

"So you go into hiding-"

"I live on campus. Everyone knows that. I'm not just going to come out and tell the world that I can't run anymore before it's settled in. I'm not. I'm coping. No one understands that track is all I trained for since I was in diapers. I ran all the time and I had no back up plan and I still don't. My life was riding on track. It was and I don't care how many people say it's an excuse or I want pity, this is my life and I can't just kill myself to satisfy y'all. I can't. I'm telling everyone know, Cameron Harris has a heart condition and is not able to run anymore." I told him as tears continually fall down my face.

"Do you think the people are just going to forget about all you've done?"

"Right now, yeah. Maybe when I realize that I'm going to be okay, I'll see that I've made a mark."

"So if you could run, do you think you would be went all the way?"

"I wish I could answer that but my last race is all I have to go off of. That's nothing."

"But you had the record and you were so happy about it-"

"That was that day. You can't keep going off one day. You have to go off everyday that I've raced. I've lost many races but I've perfected my craft every time. Michigan state, LSU and every other school could have beat me in the final race, it all depends on what happens that day. That day I won't be there, so I lost. I didn't go all the way."

"So is this the last we will see of you?"

"For now, yes. I'll be concentrating on finishing school but you will see me again one of these days."

After I left my interview. I went back to campus and to my dorm. I sat on my bed and just cried. I ignored my phone ringing. I need to let this out. Once I was done, I took a long shower before laying down and checking my phone. My parents called a total of 6 times, Shad 8, and Camilla 6. I called my parents back first.

"Baby are you okay?" My mom asked once she picked up.

"Yeah." I said and hugged my pillow.

"Baby I hate that he spoke to you like you-"

"Mom it's okay. I'm okay. Let's just move on. I don't want to get stuck on this." I told her.

"Okay." She said and sighed. "Can we see you soon?"

"Yeah. I'll come visit soon. Promise."

"Okay baby, get some rest for class tomorrow. I love you."