Gemotions

The locker room felt oppressively close, the smell of sweat and liniment amplified. Mark fumbled with his equipment bag, his fingers clumsy and uncoordinated. He avoided eye contact with the other players, especially with Coach Miller, whose booming voice usually filled the space with encouragement. Now, the coach's gaze seemed to pierce through him, a silent judgment. A wave of heat flushed his face. He knew what they all thought. A linebacker, moving to kicker? A joke. He felt the familiar knot tighten in his stomach.