The Player I Used To Be

Chapter 7: Pressure

Michael and I hung out more and more. We were becoming the best friends we were before we started dating all over again. I could truly be myself around him. I still didn't remember anything from before though.

I felt sort of bad for Michael because he was trying so hard to get my memories back and I wasn't making any progress. Because of this, I started to crack under the pressure.

"So, do you remember anything yet?" Michael asked me the same thing everyday.

"Not yet." I gave him my usual response.

It was starting to get on my nerves slightly. If I remembered something, Michael would be the first person that I would tell.

Sometimes, I would condition for volleyball just to clear my head or to get rid of a headache. Other times, I would just isolate myself to think.

"Zoey, do you remember anything?" Michael asked yet again.

"Not yet. Michael, if I remembered something, I would tell you first." I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be like that. I'm just concerned, just as any other boyfriend would be." he replied.

"I know. But I don't know how long it will take me to remember anything. I don't even know if I'll remember anything at all." I turned to face him.

"I just want what's best for you. You know that right?" Michael pulled me into a hug and rested his chin on the top of my head.

"I know, but you don't need to be so paranoid about it." I pulled away from him.

"Zoey, please." he pleaded.

"I just need time to think." I ran away.

I felt a little bit guilty for leaving Michael like that. It seemed rude, but he was smothering me. I just couldn't take it anymore.

Later, I checked my phone for texts. There was one from Michael, so I opened it.

"Zoey, I'm sorry if I was being overbearing. I just want us to be like we were before. Please don't get upset." the text read.

I wasn't sure if I would respond to the text. I wanted Michael to know that I wasn't upset, just stressed. On the other hand, I felt like I should think about it a little more. Either way, it was easier to figure things out with Michael, so I texted him back.

"It's fine. I'm not really upset. This is really stressing me out though. I want to remember just as much as you want me to." I texted back.

I threw my phone onto my bed and sat next to it. Something bright caught my eye. When I turned to look at it, I saw a neon green volleyball with names all over it. I walked over and under the names, people put their numbers from their volleyball jersey.

I picked the ball up and looked at all of my teammates' names. I moved my thumb and I saw my own name.

Zoey #49

I stared at the ball for a while, searching for something, anything, to trigger a memory. No such luck. I put the volleyball back in its place.

Sighing, I looked out my window, longing for my lost memories to return.