The first day of school arrived with a brisk chill in the air. Jenny Lai stood at the entrance of National Taiwan University (NTU), taking a deep breath. It was hard to believe that just a few months ago, she had been in Switzernd, standing on a podium with a gold medal around her neck. Now, she was here, in Taipei, a freshman in Sports Science, trying to find her footing in a new life—one far different from the world of competitions and medals.

  She tugged her hoodie tighter around her neck as she walked toward the main building. Jenny had always been the quiet type, but the weight of the past few months seemed to have made her even more withdrawn. The loss of her father, the bankruptcy of their family business, the injury that kept her from competing—all of it had left her feeling hollow at times. But as she walked past her new cssmates, chatting excitedly about their courses and what the year would bring, she couldn’t help but feel a small flicker of hope.

  Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

  Victor: “How’s your first day at NTU? You keeping it low-key like usual?”

  She smiled slightly, her fingers quickly typing a reply.

  Jenny: “Yeah, trying to blend in. It’s a lot bigger than I thought. I’ll be fine though.”

  Victor’s messages always made her feel a little less alone. He was studying at another university, but they kept in touch through LINE. He was the only one who truly understood her, the only person who knew what it felt like to have everything you’ve worked for come crashing down.

  Victor: “You’ll be fine. Just remember to eat and sleep too, okay? Don’t turn into a zombie.”

  Jenny: “I’ll try. But no promises.”

  The exchange made her ugh, a soft, genuine ugh that she hadn’t realized she was holding back. Victor always knew how to make her feel a little lighter.

  By the time Jenny made it to her first css, her head was spinning. The lecture hall was packed with students, their chatter filling the air. She slid into an empty seat near the back, grateful for the anonymity it offered. The professor, a middle-aged man with gsses perched on the end of his nose, started talking about exercise physiology, the course material she'd be studying in the coming months.

  “Alright, everyone, welcome to the first day of Sports Science,” he said, his voice echoing through the rge room. “For those of you here on athletic schorships, I know your schedules are packed, but I expect you to keep up with your studies. You’re athletes, but you’re also students. Don’t forget that.”

  Jenny wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to fully focus on being a student. The weight of her family’s financial situation was always on her mind. Her mother had taken on multiple part-time jobs to keep things afloat, and the debt they owed was mounting. Jenny had to find a way to help—her schorship didn’t cover everything. And so, when her cast was removed, she started looking for a part-time job, though her injury still caused her a lot of discomfort.

  After the lecture, she hurried out of the building, eager to get back to her apartment. The campus was bustling, students ughing and chatting in groups, but Jenny kept her head down. She didn’t feel like she fit in here—not yet, anyway.

  When she reached her apartment, she was greeted by the familiar, if not entirely welcoming, view of the building’s street. It wasn’t much, but it was hers. The building had three floors. Jenny’s unit was on the second floor, a small but cozy space. The ground floor housed a undry shop and a convenience store. It was a convenient location, and while the building wasn’t fancy, it felt like a safe haven after the long, exhausting days of css.

  Jenny climbed the stairs to her unit, her cast still causing her a bit of a limp. Her coach’s sister, Aunt Lin, had been kind enough to offer her the apartment at a discounted rent. Aunt Lin was like a second mother to her, and Jenny was grateful for the opportunity.

  As she unlocked the door and stepped inside, Jenny couldn’t help but admire the small terrace that overlooked the street below. It wasn’t much—just a small railing and a few chairs, but it was her space. Her mind wandered to her mother and younger siblings. Her mother, now running a small food stall, was doing her best to make ends meet, but it wasn’t easy. Jenny’s younger siblings, both in high school, were still living in the province, and she missed them dearly.

  Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from LINE.

  Victor: “Hey, don’t forget to rest. Your body’s been through a lot. You don’t need to be perfect right away.”

  Jenny read the message and smiled softly. Victor always worried about me, she thought. She quickly typed a reply.

  Jenny: “I know. I’ll rest after I finish some homework.”

  Victor: “Always the workaholic. Alright, alright. I’ll let you focus. But just know that I’m here if you need me.”

  Jenny: “Thanks, Vic. You’re the best.”

  With a sigh, Jenny set her phone down and began unpacking her things. It was quiet in her apartment—too quiet at times. But for now, she didn’t mind. She liked the solitude.

  The next day, Jenny’s csses picked up, but she was still having trouble adjusting. At lunch, she sat alone in the cafeteria, watching her cssmates chat in groups. She couldn’t help but overhear snippets of their conversations.

  “Did you hear about the freshman athlete? Jenny Lai, right?” one girl said. “I heard she was the one who got that gold medal in shooting.”

  “Oh, that’s her? I thought she was just another quiet girl in the back row. She doesn’t seem very friendly.”

  Jenny flinched, her heart tightening in her chest. She tried to ignore them, but their words stung. She wasn’t one to care about what people thought, but it hurt to feel so out of pce.

  As the weeks went on, Jenny settled into a routine. She focused on her studies, determined to prove herself not only as an athlete but also as a student. Her part-time job at a local café helped ease the financial burden on her mother, but it also wore her down physically. Every day, she worked hard to keep up with her coursework, practice her shooting skills when she could, and take care of herself. It was exhausting, but Jenny was no stranger to hard work.

  Late one evening, after her shift at the café, Jenny received another message from Victor.

  Victor: “How’s everything going? You’ve been quiet tely.”

  Jenny: “Just busy with school and work. I’m good, though. Just tired.”

  Victor: “If you need anything, just say the word. You know I’ve got your back.”

  Jenny smiled at his message. She wasn’t sure what she’d do without Victor in her life. He was the one person who always seemed to understand, even when she couldn’t find the words to expin herself.

  As the months passed, Jenny’s life became a delicate bancing act—one that required every ounce of her strength and determination. She faced challenges every day, from the pressures of school to the constant financial strain on her family. But with each small victory, each completed assignment, each quiet moment of peace in her apartment, Jenny knew she was building the future she wanted—not just for herself, but for her family as well.