Rachel Penick

Mrs. Storer

Englsih 3 H Block 5

26 November 2019

Fear of the Future

Scene 1

Dad, Mom, and Emily Jones live in a 4-bedroom house in San Diego California. Their

neighborhood is very quiet and safe. Dad is very competitive. He has always wanted the best for

Emily but sometimes he is too hard on her. Emily is a star soccer player who tore her ACL in her

CIF championship. She loves soccer but is scared to return after her injury. Mom supports

whatever Emily does. She is Emily’s rock and always is there for her when Emily needs. She tries

to calm Dad down when he is being too hard on Emily, but Dad is very stubborn.

Dad and Emily enter into the kitchen. The smell of bacon overflows the room. The table is set

with plates and silverware and a cup of orange juice is already filled. Mom is sitting at the

wooden table.

Mom: Good morning!

Emily: Morning Mom. Thanks for breakfast.

Dad: Its been exactly 9 months since your ACL tear. Your doctor’s appointment is at 4:00 pm

today. They should be clearing you for full participation in play today.

Emily: Fingers crossed

Mom grabs Emily’s hand to comfort her

Mom: Don’t worry honey. It will all work out.

Emily gets up from the table and grabs her backpack to go to school. When she walks outside,

she feels the warm sun on her face. She smiles. She then walks to her car and heads to school.

Scene 2

The school is filled with students walking around, talking, and laughing. The sun is out, and the

sky is clear. Emily spots her best friend Roxanne walking over.

Roxanne: What’s up Emily! Today’s the big day. How do you feel?

Emily: I don’t know if I am more nervous or excited. I am just scared that I am going to get

injured again.

Roxanne: Think positive. It will all work out. Meanwhile though don’t think about it too much.

Let’s go to class.

Emily: You’re right. We have math right now so I am sure my mind will be distracted.

Roxanne: I got my test back…I got a 64%. I really should start paying attention.

Emily: That would be a good idea wouldn’t it.

The Bell rings. All the students start heading to class. A big sea of people all try to fit in a small

hallway trying to avoid being late to class.

Scene 3

School is finally out. Emily walks out of the school nervously. The sun is still shining bright.
Emily: It’s time.

Emily gets in her car and drives to the doctors where she is going to meet her parents. When she

arrives at the hospital, she is shaking. She walks into the doctors and sees her parents. They are

sitting in wooden chairs. The doctor’s office is filled with posters describing the muscles and

bones in the body.

Emily: You can do this Emily. You’re not afraid.

Dad: Emily just breathe. You will be cleared today, I have a good feeling.

Dr. Amenideal: Emily we are ready for you.

Emily and her parents walk through those large grey doors. Emily knows her future is on the

line.

Dr. Amenideal: Emily we are going to do a few tests if that’s ok.

Emily: Yes, of course.

Dr. Amenideal tests Emily’s mobility and strength.

Dr. Amenideal: Ok, I will be back with your results I have to confirm with Dr. Richards.

Dr. Amenideal exits the room.

Dad: How’d you feel during the tests? Did you feel strong?

Emily: I feel like I am going to be cleared today. My fear is just getting in the way, making me

second guess.

Mom: That is understandable honey. This was a tough injury for you.
Dr. Amenideal enters the room holding a large file labeled Emily Jones.

Dr. Amenideal: It looks like you’re cleared Emily for full participation. Congratulations!

Dad, Mom, and Emily all hug.

Emily: Finallyyyy. You don’t know how happy I am to hear that Doc.

Dad: Thank you so much Doc. Hopefully we won’t be back ever.

Dad, Mom, and Emily all exit the doctor’s office and head to their cars.

Dad: We’ll meet you at home Emily!

Emily gives both her parents a big hug and walks off to her car. The sun is shining bright an

there is a nice breeze swaying the palm trees. Emily has a big smile on her face. She drives

home.

Emily, Dad and Mom enter into the house

Dad: This is a cause for celebration.

Emily, Dad and Mom all eat dinner and talk and laugh all night. They all head to bed to get a

good night’s sleep.

One week later.

Scene 4

Emily has her first game in 10 months today. She is nervous to play. Dad, Mom, and Emily enter

into the kitchen for breakfast. All Emily can smell is the strong scent of Dad’s black coffee.

Dad: Are you ready?

Emily: I have been waiting for this for so long Dad you don’t know how excited I am. It’s my

senior year.

Mom: I know you’re nervous to get back out there Em. You have to trust that your healed.

Emily: Thanks Mom, you always know what to say.

Emily gives her Mom a hug and Emily and her Dad exit the house to go to the game. Emily hops

out of the car and walks to the field. The field is beautifully green. It is a sunny day in San Diego.

Her dad stays in the car until the game starts. Coach Jay yells out to Emily.

Coach Jay: Hey Emily it’s great to have you back.

Emily: It’s great to be back Coach.

The game starts, and Emily is still on the bench. 20 minutes into the game, her team is winning

1-0.

Coach Jay: Get up Emily.

Emily: Am I going in coach?

Coach Jay: yes, if you’re ready.

Emily: I’m in.

Emily passes the ball around and stretches and then she goes in. Emily goes in and gets the ball

passed to her. When the defender starts running towards her, she panics and kicks the ball out of

bounds. She was so nervous that she would get hit again. Emily looks very nervous playing.

Coach Jay: Emily, what the heck was that?

Emily: sorry coach, I got nervous. It won’t happen again.

Emily gets the ball and starts to dribble. Emily thinks to herself,

Emily: This isn’t so bad. I’m back, this is what I have been working for. That girl is coming at

me. What do I do? I can’t try to get past her because she might hit me. Oh no she is getting closer

and coming really fast. I will just pass back.

Emily kicks the ground out of anger. She is fearful of getting reinjured. She has PTSD. But she

isn’t playing well because of all of this fear.

Emily: I need to get out of my head. Maybe I will come back stronger after halftime.

Coach Jay: Emily, come here. What is going on?

Emily walks up to her coach.

Emily: I am scared I am going to get injured again and ruin my chances of playing in college.

Coach Jay: If you think that way, you will ruin your chances. If you continue to play like this,

college soccer will not be an option for you. I am going to sit you out this half, you’re not ready.

Coach Jay storms off angerly.

Emily: That’s fair. I’m sorry coach.

Emily sighs and sits on the bench the rest of the game.

Narrator: The second half goes by and Emily’s team ends up winning 2-0. Emily leaves after the

team talk to find her dad.

Dad enters

Dad: Emily, if you continue to play this bad, forget playing college soccer. Your future depends

on your come back. Step it up.

Emily didn’t say anything. There was nothing she could say to make the situation better. She

knew he was right. Emily was fully healed to play. The only thing holding her back was her fear.

She was living in fear. Her future was changing juristically. The more she spent her life in fear,

the more her future was changing. This shows how fear is such a big factor in people’s lives. It

can be the decider between success and failure. Don’t let fear control your life.