Session 2

The fluorescent lights of the rehabilitation facility cast a sterile glow over Kenny's sweat-slicked skin as he pushed through another set of leg presses. His muscles burned with exertion, but there was a fluid grace to his movements that belied the grueling work he'd put in over the past week.

Dr. Chen watched from the sidelines, his keen eyes tracking every nuance of Kenny's form. "Excellent control," he murmured to Dr. Rodriguez, who nodded in agreement.

"His progress has been remarkable," she replied softly. "I've never seen anyone bounce back this quickly from an injury like his."

As Kenny finished his set, Dr. Chen stepped forward. "Alright, Kenny, let's move to the court. I want to see how you're handling those lateral movements we've been working on."

Kenny's face lit up at the prospect of court time. He'd been itching to feel the smooth hardwood beneath his feet again, to hear the satisfying swish of the net. As they made their way to the adjacent gym, Kenny couldn't help but notice the spring in his step. The constant ache that had plagued him for weeks had faded to a dull whisper.

On the court, Dr. Chen set up a series of cones. "I want you to weave through these, focusing on your footwork. Remember, it's not about speed right now. I want to see perfect form."

Kenny nodded, his expression one of intense concentration. As he began the drill, his movements were a far cry from the awkward, hesitant steps of a week ago. Each cut was sharp, each change of direction smooth and controlled. His injured leg, once a liability, now moved in perfect sync with the rest of his body.

Dr. Rodriguez leaned in closer to Dr. Chen. "Look at his hip rotation," she whispered. "The stability in his core. It's textbook."

Dr. Chen nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "He's not just recovering," he replied. "He's evolving."

As Kenny completed the drill, barely breaking a sweat, Dr. Chen called out, "Alright, let's add some ball handling to the mix."

He tossed Kenny a basketball, the familiar leather feeling like an old friend in Kenny's hands. As Kenny began to dribble, weaving through the cones with the ball as an extension of himself, Dr. Chen's eyes widened slightly.

Kenny's control was impeccable. The ball seemed to be on a string, responding to the slightest flick of his wrist or shift of his fingers. His crossovers were lightning-quick, his behind-the-back dribbles smooth as silk. Even more impressive was his footwork - each step was deliberate, efficient, with no wasted motion.

As Kenny finished the drill, effortlessly sinking a layup, Dr. Chen exchanged a glance with Dr. Rodriguez. They'd seen enough.

"Kenny," Dr. Chen called out, his voice carrying a note of excitement he couldn't quite suppress. "Come here for a moment."

Kenny jogged over, barely winded. "What's up, Doc?" he asked, spinning the ball on his finger absentmindedly.

Dr. Chen took a deep breath. "Kenny, I've been doing this for a long time. I've worked with college stars and even a few NBA players. But I've never seen anyone progress as quickly as you have."

Kenny's eyes widened, the ball nearly slipping from his grasp. "For real?"

Dr. Rodriguez stepped forward, her smile warm. "Kenny, when you first came to us, our goal was simply to get you back to where you were before the injury. But you've surpassed that. Your control, your stability, your overall fitness - they're all better than they were before."

Dr. Chen nodded in agreement. "Which is why we've made a decision. Kenny, we're clearing you to start training with the Skyhawks."

The words hit Kenny like a thunderbolt. For a moment, he stood frozen, unable to process what he'd just heard. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face, so wide it almost hurt.

"Are you serious?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Chen laughed. "Dead serious. You've put in the work, Kenny. You've earned this."

Kenny let out a whoop of joy, leaping into the air with an explosive burst that showcased just how far he'd come. As he landed, he swept both doctors into a bear hug, his enthusiasm infectious.

"Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you both so much."

As Kenny gathered his things, practically vibrating with excitement, Dr. Chen pulled him aside for one last word.

"Kenny, I want you to remember something," he said, his tone serious. "What you've achieved here - it's extraordinary. But the real work is just beginning. The Skyhawks are going to push you harder than you've ever been pushed before. You're going to have days where you question everything, where you want to give up."

He paused, making sure Kenny was really listening. "When those days come, I want you to remember this moment. Remember how far you've come, how hard you've worked. And remember that you have something special - something that can't be taught."

Kenny nodded solemnly. "I will, Doc. I promise."

As Kenny left the facility, his step light and his heart full of hope, Dr. Chen turned to Dr. Rodriguez.

"You know," he said softly, "I have a feeling we're going to be seeing that kid on TV someday."

Dr. Rodriguez smiled. "I wouldn't bet against it."

Outside, Kenny stepped into the warm Atlanta sunshine, feeling like he could take on the world. He pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the keys as he typed out a message to Arell:

"Bro, you're not gonna believe this. I'm cleared. I'm back in the game."

<>

Arell's phone buzzed with Kenny's message just as he was stepping into Dr. Sarah's office for his therapy session. A smile tugged at his lips as he read the news, a mixture of joy for his friend and a twinge of something else - maybe envy? - swirling in his chest. He quickly typed back a congratulatory response before pocketing his phone and settling into the now-familiar leather couch.

Dr. Sarah greeted him with her usual warm smile. "How are you feeling today, Arell?"

Arell took a deep breath, sinking into the couch. "Better, I think. It's been... a lot, you know? But I feel like I'm starting to get a handle on things."

Dr. Sarah nodded encouragingly. "That's good to hear. Can you tell me more about what's been going on?"

Arell leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Well, the studio sessions have been intense. Me and Post - Post Malone, I mean - we've been grinding, putting in long hours. I've been teaching him everything I know, and man, he's like a sponge. Soaks it all up."

Dr. Sarah smiled. "It sounds like you're really thriving creatively. How does that feel?"

Arell's eyes lit up. "It feels amazing. And it's not just the music. It's... it's everything."

He gestured vaguely. "Fair Trade is climbing the charts. It's at number 16 now, and Geoffrey says it might go gold in Canada soon. And Flex, the track with Rich Homie Quan? It's shot up to 54 on Billboard. People are noticing, Doc. I'm getting feature requests left and right."

Dr. Sarah leaned forward slightly. "That's quite an achievement, Arell. How are you handling all this attention?"

Arell's expression turned thoughtful. "It's... it's a lot, to be honest. Part of me wants to say yes to everything, you know? Strike while the iron's hot. But..." He trailed off, his brow furrowing.

"But?" Dr. Sarah prompted gently.

"But I don't want to burn out," Arell admitted. "I've released like 8 or 9 songs in the past three months. That's a lot. I'm thinking of going quiet for a bit, just focus on finishing the mixtape. Save my energy for the stuff that really matters."

Dr. Sarah nodded approvingly. "That sounds like a very mature decision, Arell. It's important to know your limits and protect your creative energy. Have you discussed this with Geoffrey?"

Arell nodded. "Yeah, he agrees. Said it's better to leave them wanting more, you know? We're setting a high price for features - 100k. Filters out the noise, keeps the focus on quality over quantity. That's for the people I don't know of course. If someone like- Swae hits me up… I'll give him a whole song for free, easily."

"That's a smart strategy," Dr. Sarah commented. "Now, you mentioned finishing the mixtape. How's that coming along?"

Arell's face lit up. "It's almost done. I just want to get Pharrell to review it. See if there's anything I should tweak. He's coming down to Atlanta next week for his first show, so I'll get his input then."

Dr. Sarah smiled at his enthusiasm. "It sounds like you're really in your element with all of this, Arell. I'm glad to see you so passionate about your work."

Arell nodded, but then his expression clouded slightly. "Yeah, it's... it's been good to have something to focus on. Helps keep my mind off... other things."

Dr. Sarah's expression turned serious. "What other things, Arell?"

Arell sighed, running a hand over his face. "India," he said softly. "The baby. I... I still haven't called her."

Dr. Sarah leaned forward slightly. "Why do you think that is, Arell?"

Arell was quiet for a long moment, his gaze fixed on his hands. "I don't know," he said finally. "I mean, I do know, but... it's complicated, you know?"

"Try to explain it to me," Dr. Sarah encouraged gently.

Arell took a deep breath. "It's just... every time I think about calling her, I freeze up. Like, what am I supposed to say? 'Hey, have you decided whether or not to have an abortion yet?' It feels... wrong, somehow."

Dr. Sarah nodded understandingly. "It's a very difficult situation, Arell. There's no easy way to have that conversation. But avoiding it won't make it go away. Have you thought more about how you feel about the possibility of an abortion?"

Arell's face contorted with a mix of emotions. "That's the thing, Doc. I... I thought I was okay with it. I mean, we're both so young, and my career is just taking off. But now..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"Now?" Dr. Sarah prompted.

"Now I feel guilty," Arell admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I think about it, I get this knot in my stomach. Like, who am I to make that decision, you know? To end a life before it even begins?"

Dr. Sarah nodded sympathetically. "Those are very normal feelings, Arell. This is a big decision, one that carries a lot of emotional weight. Have you shared these feelings with India?"

Arell shook his head. "No, I... I haven't talked to her at all about it since that night. I know I need to, I just... I don't know how."

Preparing for a long, drawn out conversation Arell decided to lay on the plush carpet of the office, his no longer lanky frame, stretched out as he tossed a stress ball rhythmically towards the ceiling. The soft thud of rubber against plaster punctuated his words as he spoke, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room.

"It's just... complicated, you know?" he said, catching the ball and pausing for a moment. "With India, I mean. It's not just about the baby. It's... everything."

Dr. Sarah leaned forward in her chair, her pen poised over her notepad. "Tell me more about that, Arell. What do you mean by 'everything'?"

Arell sighed, resuming his ball-tossing. Thud. Catch. Thud. Catch. The rhythm helped him focus, kept his hands busy while his mind churned.

"It's like... okay, so when we first met, right? She was using me. For marketing, for her image. She had this whole fake relationship thing going on with The Game and then there was that mess with Soulja Boy..."

He trailed off, the ball hanging suspended in the air for a moment before he snatched it back. Dr. Sarah waited patiently, knowing Arell would continue when he was ready.

"Soulja Boy tried to start a fight with me over her," Arell finally said, his voice tight. "Because apparently, she was in a fake relationship with him too. It's like... who even is she, you know? The real India?"

Dr. Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like you're questioning whether you can trust India. Is that fair to say?"

Arell nodded, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Yeah, I guess so. I mean, how do I know this isn't just another act? Another marketing ploy?"

"Have you talked to India about these concerns?" Dr. Sarah asked gently.

Arell shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Kind of. But that's not really my style, I don't... I don't do vulnerable."

Dr. Sarah raised an eyebrow. "And yet here you are, Arell, talking to me about these very vulnerable feelings. That takes courage."

Arell paused in his ball-tossing, turning his head to look at Dr. Sarah. "Yeah, well... this is different. You're not... you're not her."

"Why do you think it's harder to be vulnerable with India?" Dr. Sarah probed gently.

Arell was quiet for a long moment, the ball forgotten in his hand. "Because she could hurt me."

The silence that followed was heavy, Dr. Sarah let it stretch, giving Arell space to process.

Finally, she spoke. "Arell, I want you to think about something for me. Do you see a long-term future with India?"

Arell frowned, his brow furrowing in concentration. "I... I don't know. I mean, I care about her, but..."

"But?" Dr. Sarah prompted.

"But what if she cheats?" The words burst out of Arell, surprising even himself. "What if... what if I'm not enough? What if the fame, the money, it all goes to her head and she decides she wants something else?"

Dr. Sarah nodded slowly. "These are valid concerns, Arell. But I want you to think about where they're coming from. Are these fears based on India's actions, or are they coming from your own past experiences?"

Arell was quiet, mulling over her words. The memory of his grandmother's betrayal, of Reese's backstabbing, flashed through his mind.

"I guess... maybe both?" he said finally. "I mean, she's got her show now, 'Westbrooks'. She's posting all these... these pictures on Instagram. Bikini pics and stuff. It's like... is that really who she is? Or is it just for the clicks, you know?"

Dr. Sarah leaned forward slightly. "Arell, it sounds like you're grappling with a lot of uncertainty about India and your relationship. But I want to bring us back to the immediate issue at hand. How do you feel about the possibility of becoming a father?"

Arell's hand tightened around the stress ball, his knuckles turning white. "I... I don't know, doc. I mean, again, I'm only 19. How am I supposed to be a father?"

"Those are normal concerns," Dr. Sarah assured him. "Being a parent is a huge responsibility. But I want you to think beyond the practical concerns for a moment. How do you feel about the idea of having a child? Not logistically, but emotionally?"

Arell closed his eyes, letting the question wash over him. Unbidden, the memory of his grandmother's words came flooding back. The seed, the potential, the miracle of life.

"I... I think I want to keep it," he said softly, the words surprising him even as he spoke them.

Dr. Sarah nodded encouragingly. "Can you tell me more about that, Arell? Why do you think you want to keep the baby?"

Arell struggled to put his feelings into words. "It's like... okay, so my grandma, she told me once that my parents thought about... you know, not having me. But she talked them out of it. She said every life is sacred, that it's like a seed with all this potential."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. "And I keep thinking... what if they had gone through with it? What if I never got the chance to exist? To make music, to... to be me?"

Dr. Sarah listened intently, her pen moving across her notepad. "It sounds like this is bringing up some deep-seated beliefs and values for you, Arell. Have you shared these thoughts with India?"

Arell shook his head. "Nah, not yet. She... she told me she's going to therapy too, you know? Said she's scared of losing her fame, of not being relevant anymore. I don't know how she'd feel about keeping the baby."

"That's a conversation you'll need to have with her," Dr. Sarah said gently. "Remember, Arell, this is a decision that affects both of you. It's important to be open and honest about your feelings and concerns."

Arell nodded, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I know. It's just... it's hard, you know? Opening up like that."

Dr. Sarah smiled encouragingly. "I know it is, Arell. But you've made incredible progress in our sessions. You're learning to be vulnerable, to express your feelings. That's a strength, not a weakness."

Arell shifted on the ground, a new tension creeping into his shoulders. "Actually, Doc, there's something else I've been wanting to talk about. It's... it's kind of hard to explain."

Dr. Sarah leaned forward, her expression open and encouraging. "Take your time, Arell. We're here to work through things at your pace."

Arell took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "So, you know how sometimes in life, you discover something about yourself that changes everything? Like, it makes you see the world in a whole new way?"

Dr. Sarah nodded slowly. "That can certainly happen. Can you tell me more about what you've discovered?"

Arell's fingers drummed nervously on the ball "It's like... okay, imagine you suddenly realized you had this... this guide. A way to measure yourself, to improve yourself. And it's real, not just numbers on a page and you can feel it changing you, making you better."

He paused, watching Dr. Sarah's face carefully. She remained neutral, listening intently.

"Go on," she encouraged gently.

"So I've had this... this realization for about three months now. And it's been amazing, you know? I've improved so much, in my music, in everything. But..." He trailed off, struggling to articulate his feelings.

"But?" Dr. Sarah prompted.

"But I haven't told anyone," Arell admitted. "Not Kenny, not Malik, not Devon. They're my day ones. We've been through everything together. Hell, they moved to Atlanta with me when we got out, even though it meant leaving everything behind. And now we're all living in this big mansion, living the dream, but... there's this secret between us."

Dr. Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like you're carrying a heavy burden, Arell. Can you tell me more about why you haven't shared this... discovery with your friends?"

Arell ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. "I don't know, Doc. Part of me is scared they won't believe me. That they'll think I've lost it. And another part... another part is scared of what it might mean if they do believe me."

"What do you think it might mean?" Dr. Sarah asked.

Arell was quiet for a long moment. "It might mean they start looking at me differently. Like I'm not... not me anymore. Or maybe they'll be jealous, or think I've got some unfair advantage. I don't know."

He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "It's stupid, right? These are my boys. We've been through hell together. They risked everything coming to Atlanta with me, knowing Reese and his crew might come after us. And they did - Kenny's leg... that was because of me, because of my beef with Reese."

Dr. Sarah's expression softened. "It's not stupid, Arell. Your feelings are valid. It sounds like you're grappling with some complex emotions - gratitude towards your friends, guilt over Kenny's injury, fear of changing dynamics. These are all normal reactions to a significant life change."

Arell nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Yeah, I guess so. It's just... it's eating me up inside, keeping this secret. But every time I think about telling them, I freeze up."

"Let's explore that a bit more," Dr. Sarah suggested. "Imagine for a moment that you did tell them. What's the worst that could happen?"

Arell closed his eyes, letting the scenario play out in his mind. "I guess... I guess they could think I'm crazy. Or they could feel betrayed that I kept it from them for so long. Or maybe they'd start treating me differently, like I'm not one of them anymore."

Dr. Sarah nodded. "Those are all possibilities. Now, what's the best that could happen?"

Arell's brow furrowed in concentration. "I mean... maybe they'd understand. Maybe they'd be happy for me, proud of how far I've come. Maybe it would bring us closer, not having this secret between us."

"Those are also possibilities," Dr. Sarah affirmed. "Now, based on what you know about your friends, which scenario do you think is more likely?"

Arell was quiet for a long moment, really considering the question. "I... I guess they'd probably be supportive. I mean, they've always had my back, even when things got really tough. But..."

"But?" Dr. Sarah prompted gently.

"But what if it changes things?" Arell's voice was barely above a whisper. "What if they start expecting too much from me, or feeling like they can't relate to me anymore?"

Dr. Sarah leaned forward slightly. "Arell, change is a natural part of life and relationships. You've all been through significant changes together already - moving to a new city, your rising fame, living in a mansion. Your relationships have evolved, but they've remained strong, haven't they?"

Arell nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess they have."

"It's normal to fear change," Dr. Sarah continued. "But keeping secrets, especially from those closest to us, can create distance and strain relationships. Your friends have stood by you through incredibly difficult times. Don't you think they deserve the chance to stand by you through this as well?"

Arell sat back, absorbing her words. "When you put it like that... yeah, I guess they do."

Dr. Sarah smiled encouragingly. "It's ultimately your decision, Arell. But I want you to consider something this week. Imagine how it would feel to not have this secret weighing on you anymore. To be able to share your full self with your friends. How does that feel?"

Arell closed his eyes, letting the idea wash over him. "It feels... good," he admitted. "Scary, but good."

As the session wound down, Dr. Sarah gave Arell a final piece of advice. "Remember, Arell, vulnerability is not weakness. It's the foundation of genuine connection. Your friends have shown time and again that they're there for you. Give them the chance to continue being there."

Arell nodded, standing up to leave. As he reached the door, he turned back. "Thanks, Doc. I think I know what I need to do."