Growing up, Christiana's world revolved around competition. Her parents were avid fighting game enthusiasts, their home often echoing with the sounds of intense matches and friendly trash talk. Their competitive spirit rubbed off on Christiana, fueling a deep-seated drive to excel in everything they did. Initially, this competitive fire manifested in their parents' favorite pastime. However, as they grew older, their competitive spirit found a new outlet: basketball.
On the court, Christiana thrived. They excelled as a player for the Bethel Park High Blackhawks, their skills earning them the attention of college scouts. With scholarships on the horizon, their future seemed promising. However, the pressure to succeed, both on and off the court, began to weigh heavily on them. The constant scrutiny, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and the expectation to conform to a masculine image all started to feel suffocating. Christiana began to question their identity and their place within the hyper-masculine world of competitive basketball. They felt a disconnect between their authentic self and the persona they were expected to portray. This internal conflict, coupled with the increasing pressure, led them to gradually lose their passion for the game.
Then came the injury. In the middle of Christiana's senior season, when college scouts were watching the most, they suffer a nasty ACL tear. The injury deals a devastating blow to their athletic dreams, though unexpectedly became a turning point. It was during this period of reflection that Christiana began to truly listen to her inner voice, starting to realize the source of the disconnect she had been feeling for so long. With trepidation, Christiana confided in her parents. To their immense relief, their unwavering support, previously channeled into cheering her on the court, now fueled her journey of self-discovery.
With their love and encouragement, Christiana began to heal, both physically and emotionally. She found a renewed sense of purpose in her transition and a newfound freedom from the constraints of the masculine image she previously felt forced to uphold. Close to her 23rd birthday, her parents began to nudge her back towards considering her college education. A little concerned about starting college later than most, Christiana reluctantly agrees to explore college options. Narrowing her choices, she decides to take a trip to Woodcrest, in hopes of seeing if the university can serve as the perfect starting point to her new life.