Riley had a theory that if she made it past 2 p.m. without crying, it was a good day.
Today was close.
The clock on the gym wall blinked 1:48 as she stood barefoot on the edge of the balance beam, spotting little Daisy Montgomery as the seven-year-old tried to land her dismount.
"Point your toes, Dais—good! Now stick it—yes! Yes, girl!" Riley clapped as Daisy beamed, jumping into a hug that almost knocked Riley over. She laughed, catching the kid with an ease she didn't often feel outside these four chalk-dusted walls.
This job was everything. Not glamorous, not lucrative, but it kept her moving. It gave her a reason to wake up and take her meds and journal and drink all that stupid water her therapist was obsessed with.
"You coming to the meet Saturday?" asked Grace, one of the other coaches, as she joined Riley by the beam.
"Wouldn't miss it," Riley replied. "Even if I have to duct tape my brain together."
Grace snorted. "Dark."
"Coping."
They both laughed, and for a moment, Riley let herself believe this version of life was sustainable.
Later that night, as she walked home under the sticky Dallas sky, she passed a billboard above the freeway. A Wings promo, bright and bold. At the center: Paige Bueckers.
Blonde. Smiling. Basketball royalty.
Riley didn't know her, but something about the girl's expression stuck with her—not just confidence, but a hint of something else. Something sad. Or maybe Riley was just projecting.
She walked on.
The billboard flickered behind her.
They wouldn't meet for weeks.
But Riley had already seen her.
YOU ARE READING
Off balance
Teen FictionRiley Quinn is 21, recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital after a major bipolar episode, and doing everything she can to stay grounded. She coaches a team of little girls at a local Dallas gymnastics club-a job she adores but sometimes bare...
