Gemotions

Sarah kept replaying the scene in her mind, over and over. She had missed that free throw, the one that cost them the game. Now, the coach wanted to see her. The gymnasium walls seemed to press in on her, the silence deafening. She chewed on her thumbnail, the taste bitter and metallic.

Her heart galloped. She tried to slow her breathing, counting the cracks in the ceiling tiles. They didn't seem to stop moving. She could hear her name being called from the coach's office.

She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it. She walked down the hallway to the office. She saw the other players, all with similar expressions. She closed her eyes before she went in, but it didn't help. She was sure she was going to throw up.