Sophie Morales, a beautiful brunette with hopeful eyes and a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, steps onto the campus for the first time. Her volleyball gear peeks from the bag, a badge of her scholarship and dreams. She pauses, taking in the sea of faces, the banners fluttering for welcome week, and the distant thump of volleyballs on the gym floor.
Sophie soars above the net, her ponytail trailing, as the ball cracks against her palm. Sweat beads on her brow, muscles burning, but she grins with every spike. After practice, teammates gather, their laughter mingling with the scent of liniment and gym towels.
Maya Tan, team captain, sharp-eyed and encouraging, claps her on the back.
"You keep playing like that, and you'll be starting by midseason,"
Sophie stands at the edge of a group, her hair catching the gold of the lights, as upperclassmen vie for her attention. She laughs at a joke, cheeks flushed, and takes her first tentative sip of beer, the taste foreign and fizzy on her tongue.
Jake Collins, confident sophomore with a charming grin raises his cup to her.
"To the new star on campus,"
"Careful, or I'll start believing the hype,"
Sophie[/@ch_1]'s once-athletic frame softens, curves accentuated by late-night snacks and skipped morning runs. Her confidence grows, and she notices more eyes following her through hallways and across the quad.]
The mirror reflects a young woman comfortable in her own skin, though the gym bag gathers dust in the corner. She tries on outfits for the next party, giggling with friends as music plays. Volleyball texts go unanswered, replaced by flurries of messages from admirers.
Sophie[/@ch_1] sits alone, a cold beer beside her untouched. The glow of her phone screen highlights texts from Maya: reminders about practice, concern thinly veiled between lines. Lightning flashes, illuminating her volleyball jersey hanging behind the door.]
"Sophie, we miss you. Are you okay? The team isn't the same without you."
"I'm… figuring things out. I guess I needed a break,"
She looks between the jersey and the party invite on her phone, torn between two worlds.
Sophie[/@ch_1] walks alone to the empty gym, the echo of her footsteps stark in the silence.]
She stands at the net, fingertips tracing the worn fabric, memories of triumph and laughter flooding back. Breathing in the familiar scent, she closes her eyes, the sound of a bouncing ball in the distance. With a deep breath, she realizes she can shape her story—balancing fun, friends, and her own ambition—if she chooses to play both games on her own terms.
