Life had a way of shifting when you least expected it. Just when Akutu thought she had found some balance, the universe decided to test her again.
It started with an email.
She was in the cafeteria, eating dinner with Jenny and Kweku, when her phone buzzed. At first, she ignored it, thinking it was another school announcement. But then Jenny nudged her.
"Check your phone. You've been staring at it like it might explode."
Akutu sighed and opened the email. Her eyes scanned the screen. Then she froze.
"Akutu? What is it?" Jenny asked.
Akutu swallowed. She had been selected for a writing internship.
Three months ago, she had applied to a national writing program on a whim, not expecting to be chosen. The program offered mentorship, writing workshops, and even the chance to be published.
But now that the opportunity was real, she felt something she hadn't expected—fear.
Kweku leaned over to read the email. "This is huge! Why do you look like someone just asked you to climb Mount Everest?"
Akutu bit her lip. "Because… I don't know if I can handle it. What if I fail? What if I can't balance this with school?"
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we just go through this? Balance, remember?"
Akutu exhaled. "Yeah, but this is different."
"How?" Kweku asked.
"Because now it's real," she admitted. "It's not just writing in my notebook anymore. People will actually read my work. They'll judge it."
Jenny sighed dramatically. "So what? That's part of the journey. Growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone, Akutu."
Akutu knew she was right. But knowing something and believing it were two different things.
That night, she lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She had two choices: let fear win, or take the risk.
She picked up her phone and reread the email.
Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she typed a reply.
"Thank you for the opportunity. I accept."
She hit send.
Her heart pounded, but she smiled. Change was scary, but maybe it was exactly what she needed.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.