Gemotions

She hunched over, trying to blend into the shadows by the net. Sarah gripped the handle of her racquet so tightly her knuckles were white. The other girls on the tennis team practiced their volleys with effortless grace, their laughter echoing across the court. She remembered the elation of making varsity as a sophomore, her powerful forehand praised by everyone. Now, relegated to doubles, she was expected to play a defensive game. Her stomach churned. The memory of the coach's words, "We need you to be more reliable," echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of her perceived shortcomings.