Chapter 4 — Under Blake’s Shadow

Lia

The snap of the net echoes from the far end of the field as I jog off the turf, my legs heavy from an afternoon of drills. The late-afternoon sun hangs low, stretching long shadows across the grass like grasping fingers. My teammates are scattered around, sweat-soaked and laughing through their exhaustion, their camaraderie a bright buzz in the air. I should feel lighter, like them, but my chest feels tight, the burn in my lungs a reminder that I haven’t quite shaken the weight pressing down on me. I pull my hoodie over my head and sling my bag across my shoulder. My lacrosse stick, with its frayed grip and worn shaft, dangles loosely at my side. My fingers absently trace the leather, its roughness grounding me.