Sevyn Wade found herself entering the world of being a young adult wanting a real college experience. Moving from Beverly Hills to Atlanta would be a huge change for the girl. She finds out that college was a completely different world and it might...
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"You're late," Simone said, glancing at her Apple Watch as the digital numbers flicked to 8:20 PM. Simone was lying on the ground of the tennis court with her racquet resting beside her.
Sevyn jogged over, "I know, I know. I was finalizing a few things for my photoshoot tomorrow." Sevyn said as she offered a sheepish grin, before sitting down next to her, "But I'm here now. What's up?"
Simone looked over at her, "I've been thinking," she began, her voice measured and calm. "I don't know if I can keep this up."
Sevyn's heart skipped a beat. Simone had been winning matches back to back since the season started, but she wasn't expecting this.
"What do you mean?" She tried to keep the concern from her voice, but it seeped in despite her efforts.
Simone sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "This," she said, waving her racquet in a vague circle, "All of it. Practicing every day, the pressure of tournaments, the endless drills... It's just not fun anymore."
The words hung in the air, thick with unspoken frustration and doubt.
Sevyn moved closer, "But you love tennis," she said softly. "You've always talked about going pro and us competing in the US Open and about how it's the only thing that makes you feel alive."
"I did," she whispered. "Before."
Sevyn knew about the "before." It was Simone before being diagnosed with cancer and how quickly it went from her biggest worries were her next match, which classes was she going to take or who'd win the season championship to radiation, meds, surgery, and her fertility.
"What happened?"
Simone leaned up, her eyes drifting to the deserted court. "I trained throughout radiation, through the nausea, the exhaustion, the days when I could barely lift a finger. I did it for this," she said, gesturing to the empty space in front of them. "But now that I'm in remission, it just feels...empty."
The silence stretched out, as vast as the night sky above them. Sevyn felt a heavy weight settle on her chest.
Finally, Simone spoke again, her voice cracking slightly. "You guys have been amazing, you know? Always there for me, taking me to appointments, making sure I had everything I needed. And it's because of you guys that I got through it all." She paused, taking a deep breath. "But if I quit now, it's like all that effort, all that love and support...it'll just be for nothing."
Sevyn's eyes widened. "That's not true," she protested, "You're alive, Simone. That's not nothing. That's everything."
Simone's gaze met her, a mix of sadness and determination. "I know," she said. "But it's not just about me anymore. It's about all the time and energy everyone invested in me. My mom, auntie, the fam... everyone had faith in me that I'd come back stronger. And now that I have, I can't just throw it all away."
