2026-08-30, 10:25 AM - Word count:
Zoe Clarke - Conference 
She stared at the journalists. A phone was set up on a tripod. Her own. It broadcast her face solely to her own phone. Her eyes carried a dead look, though the bright light emanating from the camera amplified this look.
She took a deep breath in. It was time to answer questions. Then, she took a deep breath out.
"Zoe?" Sam Clarke raised his hand. He was sitting in for the new soccer branch journalist in the Clarke Talent Agency. Zoe pointed to him. "You know what I'm going to ask about. The hiatus, practice hasn't been consistent. You've been on and off practice and now, the rival agencies say you're breaking under pressure. Why did you step away?"
A heavy one right from the get-go. And from her uncle, too. She shook her head. "Oh, that? I can keep up with practice. I know I've been able to keep up with practice." She stared at the microphone idly as she thought of her next sentence. "However, practice isn't the only thing that I have going on in my life. You know? I'm not as devoted to football as I would be normally." Her eyes moved up to Sam, a small smile slowly creeping up on her face. "I couldn't keep my mental state in check. The first and last time that I went to practice nearly twelve months ago? That was just... one thing. I was... I was different. I was new. Well, not new. I was... unsatisfied. I wanted to be better. More." She compressed her lips.
"I think that's enough. Thank you." Sam sat down, his demeanor shifting a little bit. His voice was gentler. Not like this next journalist.
"Zoe, you've carried years of expectation. You've carried years of untold weight." Zoe prepared for the worst. "How do you feel about your career?"
The worst question to ask her in this state of mind. She relaxed her posture. Her eyes closed. The world was blocked, and even if only for a moment, she felt some sort of peace. They opened once more as she stared at the camera in front of her.
"Oh, you know." She waved off. "My career has been less than stellar. I'm someone who gave up. I'm suffering that consequence. So, you know... you know. I'm... I'm um... I'm fine with my career."
She knew she was lying. The cameras didn't. Not unless they could tell her tone. Well, most people could, most of them could listen.
Part 2/X
(I'm only extending this for the teeps to be honest lol)
