Gemotions

Liam stared at the rejection letter clutched in his hand. His dream, the football scholarship, had dissolved in the harsh reality of the coach’s choices. He felt a flush climb his face, a burning sensation he couldn't explain. He crumpled the paper, the sound a sharp crack in the otherwise quiet library. His lower body felt heavy, almost weighted.

He slammed the door of his locker, ignoring the startled jump of another student nearby. He needed to get away. The pressure in his head threatened to explode. He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to smash something.

His mind raced, a frantic kaleidoscope of what-ifs and should-haves. He stalked towards the practice field, the setting sun casting long shadows. He kicked a stray ball with a violence that made him wince, the sting a small, inadequate distraction.