Gemotions

He felt a cold wave wash over him, leaving him numb. He sat, staring at the floor, the coach's words a meaningless jumble in his ears. His hands trembled so badly, he had to grip the arms of the chair to steady himself. He wanted to disappear.

He focused on the scuff marks on his worn-out shoes, each mark a memory, a reminder of the effort, the sacrifice, the pain. He refused to look at the coach. He refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing him break.

He rose slowly, his legs heavy, and walked out of the office, the door closing behind him with a final, decisive thud. The sun felt too bright, the world too loud, and he just wanted to be somewhere, anywhere, else.