A Game of Hearts

Chapter 7: Pressure Building

The weeks leading up to the gallery submission and Emeka's next big game were filled with a mix of excitement and stress. Poppy threw herself into her art, spending hours at the studio trying to perfect her piece for the submission. Meanwhile, Emeka's practices intensified as Ohio State's next opponent loomed large. Both of them were determined to succeed, but the pressures they faced began to take a toll.It was a late Thursday night when Poppy sat in front of her canvas, staring at the nearly completed painting. The once-vibrant colors now felt flat to her, the image incomplete despite all the work she had put into it. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration, paint smudging across her fingers.She had been here for hours, barely stopping to eat or rest. The deadline was only a few days away, and the weight of it pressed down on her. Every brushstroke felt wrong, every decision second-guessed. She was drowning in self-doubt, and no matter how hard she tried to push through, she couldn't shake the feeling that her work wasn't good enough.With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling, trying to clear her mind. Her phone buzzed on the table, and she glanced over to see a text from Emeka.**Emeka**: How's the masterpiece coming along?She smiled despite herself, grateful for the small break in her anxiety. Emeka always knew how to make her feel better, even when he wasn't physically there.**Poppy**: It's... coming along. I think. It doesn't feel right though. I don't know if I'm going to finish it in time.She hit send and stared at the screen, her heart heavy. She wanted to be proud of her work, but every time she looked at the canvas, all she saw were mistakes. Her phone buzzed again almost immediately.**Emeka**: You're gonna finish it. I know you. You always pull through. Want me to come by after practice tomorrow and check it out?Poppy hesitated. Part of her wanted Emeka there—his presence always made her feel more grounded—but another part of her didn't want him to see her work in its current state. She was afraid that if he saw it now, he'd realize just how much she was struggling.**Poppy**: I don't know. It's not looking great right now.There was a pause before Emeka replied.**Emeka**: Poppy, it's going to be amazing. You just need to step away from it for a bit. Let your mind breathe.Poppy sighed, knowing he was right. She had been staring at the canvas for so long that she couldn't see it objectively anymore. Maybe taking a break would help, but with the deadline so close, it was hard to relax.Just as she was about to respond, her phone rang. It was Emeka."Hey," she answered, her voice tired but grateful to hear his."Hey yourself," Emeka's voice was warm and reassuring on the other end of the line. "I know you're stressed, but you've been working too hard. You need a break.""I can't afford to take a break," Poppy said, her frustration seeping into her words. "The submission is due in a few days, and I'm not even close to being finished. It just... it doesn't feel right."There was a pause on the other end before Emeka spoke again, his tone softer this time. "I get it. Trust me, I do. You think I don't feel the pressure before a big game? But sometimes the best thing you can do is step back for a minute. You're too close to it. You need fresh eyes."Poppy closed her eyes, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease just slightly at his words. "I know," she admitted quietly. "It's just... I've put so much into this. I don't want to mess it up.""You won't," Emeka said confidently. "You're too talented for that. But you're human, Poppy. You need to take care of yourself too."Poppy smiled softly, her heart warming at his support. "You're right. I just... I don't know how to step away when there's so much riding on this.""I'll help you," Emeka said, his voice filled with sincerity. "Tomorrow, after practice, we'll go do something fun. Get your mind off of it for a bit. You can come back to the painting with fresh energy."She hesitated, but the idea of taking a break with Emeka was appealing. "Okay," she finally agreed. "Tomorrow, after practice.""Good," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. "Now get some rest, okay? I'll see you tomorrow.""Thanks, Emeka," she said softly. "I really needed this.""Anytime, Poppy," he replied. "Goodnight."As she hung up the phone, Poppy felt a little lighter. She wasn't out of the woods yet, but Emeka's words had given her the reassurance she needed to keep going. Maybe stepping away from the painting for a bit would help. Maybe she just needed to breathe.The next day, Poppy kept her promise and met Emeka after his practice. They decided to go for a walk around the park near campus, the crisp autumn air a welcome change from the stuffy studio. The trees were turning shades of orange and gold, and the ground was littered with fallen leaves that crunched beneath their feet.For the first time in days, Poppy felt like she could breathe again. The fresh air, the sound of the wind in the trees, and Emeka's easygoing presence beside her—it was exactly what she needed."How are you feeling now?" Emeka asked as they strolled down a path lined with maple trees.Poppy shrugged, glancing at him with a small smile. "Better. I mean, I'm still stressed, but... this helps. You were right."Emeka grinned, bumping her shoulder playfully. "Told you. Sometimes you just need to get out of your head for a bit."They walked in companionable silence for a while, the sound of the wind and the rustling leaves filling the air. As they rounded a bend in the path, Emeka spoke again, his voice softer this time."You know, I've been thinking," he said. "About everything you've been going through with your art... and it's kinda like how I feel about football sometimes."Poppy glanced up at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze thoughtful. "Well, everyone expects me to be this perfect player all the time. There's so much pressure to perform, to be the best. And sometimes it gets to me. But when I'm on the field... I just have to trust that I've put in the work. I have to let go of the doubt and just play."Poppy considered his words, the parallels between their situations becoming clearer. "You're saying I need to trust the work I've put into my painting.""Exactly," Emeka said, his eyes locking onto hers. "You've already done the hard part, Poppy. You just need to trust yourself. Don't let the pressure stop you from finishing what you started."Her heart swelled at his words, and she realized just how much Emeka understood her. More than anyone, he seemed to see her—not just the artist or the girl who always seemed to have it together, but the real Poppy, with all her doubts and fears. And he believed in her, even when she struggled to believe in herself.As they continued walking, Poppy felt a renewed sense of purpose building within her. She wasn't alone in this. She had Emeka by her side, cheering her on, and that made all the difference.When they finally reached the end of the path, Poppy turned to Emeka with a grateful smile. "Thank you," she said softly. "I needed this. I needed you."Emeka smiled back, his eyes warm and full of affection. "I'll always be here for you, Poppy. No matter what."And in that moment, as the sun began to set behind the trees, Poppy felt a sense of calm settle over her. She wasn't sure what the future would hold, but with Emeka by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges came her way.