Smash to the Heart

Aerin's POV

Aerin stood at the sidelines of the Southbridge tennis courts, adjusting her grip on the racquet as the hum of the crowd buzzed in the background. 

The familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and the thudding of tennis balls being bounced around brought her back to the place where everything felt right. 

After months of not stepping onto a court, it was a feeling she had missed.

Her parents sat in the bleachers, their eyes trained on her. 

As usual, they were supportive, but their overprotectiveness was always evident. Aerin’s father often said, “Take care of yourself, Aerin. 

Your health comes first,” but the unsaid expectation that she would return to her best form loomed just as heavy as the summer heat.

The injury had taken her by surprise. It wasn’t something serious, just a rolled ankle during a particularly intense practice match. 

But when the doctor said she needed time to recover, it hit her hard. Time off the court felt like an eternity. 

She hated every moment of it.

It wasn’t the physical pain that bothered her—it was the mental strain. Not being able to do what she loved, being forced to watch from the sidelines as her friends kept moving forward, was like a cage she couldn’t escape. 

And then, when she finally started practicing again, the weight of her parents’ expectations added to the pressure. 

They were proud of her, of course, but the desire to see her succeed was obvious in their every word, every glance.

“Make sure you don’t push too hard, Aerin. Mag-iingat palagi,” her mother would say, always soft but firm, her protective instincts flaring up whenever Aerin even thought about pushing her limits. “We want you to be at your best, not just for the matches, but for yourself too.”

Aerin loved them for it, but it wasn’t always easy to balance their concern with her own ambitions.

Now, here she was, back on the court. The match today wasn’t just about proving herself to anyone else; it was about proving to herself that she could overcome the frustration, the self-doubt, and the fear of not being good enough after such a long break. 

Her injury wasn’t severe, but she had taken several months off, and that alone felt like a lifetime.

Flashback: The Injury

It had been a routine practice match—nothing extraordinary—until it wasn’t. A simple move, an unexpected twist of her ankle, and down she went. 

The pain was sharp, and though she tried to stand, the moment she put weight on her leg, she knew something wasn’t right.

“Aerin, are you okay?” Coach’s voice had been distant, muffled through the pain.

“I’m fine…” she had said through gritted teeth, but her leg had given way. The worried looks from her friends and coach were enough to make her feel embarrassed, even though it wasn’t her fault.

The doctor confirmed that it was a mild sprain, but the recovery process was longer than she’d hoped. 

The doctors had recommended several weeks off, and Aerin had reluctantly accepted it. 

During those weeks, her body healed, but it was her mind that had struggled the most. 

The thought of missing out on tournaments, the thought of falling behind her peers, was always in the back of her mind.

Her parents had been there for her every step of the way, their concern never wavering. 

They had been overly cautious, always checking in, always asking how she was feeling.

“Kailangan mong magpahinga, Aerin,” her father would say, his voice always laced with love but also a hint of worry. “We don’t want you to push yourself and get hurt again.”

Her mother was the same—always reassuring her that recovery was the priority. 

But despite their support, the thought of missing out on tournaments, the thought of falling behind her peers, was always in the back of her mind.

___________________________________________________________

Back to Present

First Match: Southbridge Academy —Round 1

Today was different. After months of rehabilitation and taking it easy, Aerin was finally back on the court, ready for her first match since her injury. 

She could feel the anticipation building up in her chest as she stood on the sidelines, watching the players warm up.

Ava, her first opponent, was a fierce competitor, known for her precision and speed. 

She had been training while Aerin had been sidelined, and Aerin knew this match would be a tough one. 

But it was also exactly what she needed—a test to see if she was truly ready to get back to her best.

Her friends—Galey, Solene, and Jex—were all there to support her. 

They knew how hard the past few months had been for Aerin, and now, seeing her back on the court, they were excited and ready to cheer her on.

Galey and Solene, sitting together on the bleachers, shared a quiet moment. 

Their relationship had become a steady, unwavering support system for each other. 

Solene gently squeezed Galey’s hand as they watched Aerin prepare for her match. 

Solene, with her calm demeanor, was always the voice of reason, while Galey’s fiery spirit kept the energy up.

“You’ve got this, Aerin!” Galey shouted, her voice carrying across the court.

Aerin smiled, grateful for her friends’ unwavering support. Jex, who was bouncing around like always, added her own shout of encouragement. “Just don’t overdo it, okay? Kaya mo 'yan!”

Aerin chuckled. “Thanks, Jex,” she said, before turning her focus back to the match.

The first set began, and Ava came out strong, charging with powerful serves and sharp returns. 

Aerin wasn’t fazed, quickly adjusting her footwork despite the lingering tightness in her ankle. 

It was clear that Ava was going to test Aerin’s endurance, and Aerin couldn’t afford to let herself fall behind.

Ava was fast, her court coverage impeccable, but Aerin’s strategy was to focus on placement and speed rather than power. 

She returned a series of cross-court shots, forcing Ava into defensive positions. 

The rallies were long, with both players challenging each other with deep strokes and quick reactions.

As the first set progressed, Aerin began to find her rhythm. 

With each point won, she felt more confident in her body, in her ability to move without fear of re-injury. 

Ava was relentless, though, and the set went to a tight 5-4. 

In the final game, Aerin’s serve was a game-changer. 

A powerful ace out wide helped her secure the set 6-4, giving her a much-needed win to start the tournament.

Second Match: Southbridge Academy — Round 2

The next day, Aerin faced Rachel, a top-tier player at Southbridge. 

The match felt different; Aerin’s body was sore from the previous day’s intense match, but she couldn’t afford to take it easy. 

Rachel, known for her aggressive baseline play, was going to challenge Aerin in every way.

The first few games were tense. Both players were exchanging long rallies, each refusing to give the other an inch. 

Rachel’s forehands were powerful, and Aerin struggled to match the intensity. Her ankle still felt stiff, but she couldn’t let that stop her.

Aerin dug deep, using her backhand slice and forehand power to hold her ground. 

The crowd roared as Aerin broke Rachel’s serve to take a 4-3 lead in the set. 

The match continued at a frenetic pace, with both players going toe-to-toe, refusing to back down. 

Aerin managed to maintain the momentum, closing out the first set with a 6-4 win.

Rachel, however, was not an easy opponent to defeat. 

The second set started with Rachel taking an early 2-1 lead. Aerin pushed herself even harder, knowing she couldn’t afford to fall behind. 

She kept her composure, patiently waiting for the right moments to strike.

With the match tied at 4-4, Aerin hit a series of strong returns that left Rachel scrambling. In the final game, Aerin secured the win 6-4, once again claiming victory and moving to the final round.

Third Match: Southbridge Academy — The Final Round 

The final match of the tournament came the following day. 

Jessica, a disciplined player with excellent baseline control, was Aerin’s toughest challenge yet. 

Despite the fatigue setting in after two intense days of play, Aerin was determined to finish strong.

The first set started off with both players pushing each other to the limit.  

Jessica’s precise shots made it hard for Aerin to dominate the rallies, but Aerin responded with sharp volleys and angled returns. 

After a few back-and-forth games, Aerin broke Jessica’s serve to take a 3-2 lead.

Jessica fought back fiercely, leveling the score at 4-4. Aerin, feeling the pressure of the final set, relied on her experience and mental toughness. 

A deep cross-court shot set up her chance to break Jessica’s serve, and she did so with a beautifully timed forehand winner.

The first set went to Aerin with a 6-4 victory.

The second set was a true test of endurance. Jessica’s consistency made it difficult for Aerin to find any gaps, but Aerin stayed calm, keeping her rallies long and pushing Jessica to the corners of the court. 

The match was evenly matched, but in the end, Aerin’s aggressive play and speed helped her secure the second set 6-4, finishing the tournament with a clean sweep.

—

As soon as the final point was won, the crowd erupted in cheers, but all Aerin could focus on was the sensation of relief flooding her body. 

Her heart pounded from the adrenaline of the match, and her legs were sore, but the overwhelming rush of accomplishment made it all worth it. 

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, smiling to herself as she grabbed her towel and water bottle, trying to catch her breath.

Before she could even step off the court, she heard the familiar voices of her friends.

“Ang galing mo, Aerin!” Galey shouted, waving her arms as she and Solene rushed toward the court. 

Galey’s excitement was contagious, and Aerin couldn’t help but grin at the sight of her friends running toward her.

Solene, her eyes sparkling with pride, gave her a big thumbs-up. “You did it, Aerin! I knew you would. That was amazing!”

And then, there was Jex, her energy never faltering, even after a long day of matches. “Sabi sa'yo, eh, you’re unstoppable!” she cheered, wrapping Aerin in a quick hug.

Aerin couldn’t stop smiling. “Thanks, guys,” she said, a bit out of breath but incredibly grateful for their support. “I’m just glad I made it through without any injuries. That last point was a killer.”

“Yeah, nakita namin 'yon!” Galey said, grinning. “You were on fire today, Aerin. The competition didn’t stand a chance.”

Jex bounced around her excitedly. “Seriously, no one could keep up with you! That was pure skill!”

Aerin laughed softly, shaking her head. “Well, I couldn’t have done it without you guys cheering me on.” Her gaze shifted toward Solene and Galey, who had become a solid couple over the past year. She was happy for them, knowing how much they cared for each other, and it was always comforting to have their support.

“We were worried about you, pero look at you now. You’re back and mas magaling pa!” Solene added, a small smile on her face.

Aerin’s smile faded slightly at the mention of being worried, but it didn’t bother her—she knew it came from a place of care. Her friends had watched her struggle with the injury, and now they saw the results of her hard work.

“Yeah, that break was tough,” Aerin admitted, her voice softening as she thought back to those days of recovery. “I didn’t know how much I missed being on the court until I was off it.”

“Is that why you pushed yourself so hard?” Jex asked, her tone shifting slightly. “Hindi mo naman kailangan magmadali.”

Aerin nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow again. “I couldn’t help it. I needed to get back to my rhythm. Besides, ayokong mapag-iwanan.”

Her friends exchanged knowing looks, and Galey placed a hand on her shoulder. “We get it, Aerin. But remember, nandito lang kami for you, no matter what.”

“That’s right,” Solene added with a smile. “No rush, okay? We all want you at your best, but it’s okay to take your time.”

Aerin felt a wave of appreciation for her friends. They were more than just teammates—they were her family. “Thanks, you guys,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Before she could say anything else, her parents approached, their faces radiating with pride. 

Her father pulled her into a tight hug. “You did great, sweetheart. We’re so proud of you.”

Her mother smiled, her eyes soft but with a hint of that overprotective concern. “Just make sure you’re not overdoing it, okay? We don’t want you injuring yourself again.”

Aerin laughed, feeling both supported and slightly overwhelmed by their care. “I’m okay, Mom. Really. Just need some rest, that’s all.”

Her dad gave her a pat on the back. “We know, we know. Just promise us you’ll take care of yourself. That’s all we want.”

“I will,” Aerin promised, her heart swelling with love for her family. 

Despite the overprotectiveness, she knew they just wanted the best for her, and it meant the world.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the tennis courts, 

Aerin took a moment to soak it all in. 

She had made it through the day. 

It wasn’t just about the victory—it was about her resilience, her determination to come back stronger than before.

And with her friends and family by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.