Gemotions

"We need to talk." The words echoed in her ears. Coach Lawson had beckoned her aside during practice, his tone carefully neutral. She knew. She had known for weeks.

She'd stumbled through the rest of the drill, her movements clumsy and uncoordinated. The other girls' faces, usually friendly, now seemed distant, their voices muffled. She fumbled with her water bottle, the plastic cold and slick in her hands.

She sat on the bench, watching the team practice, a silent observer. Her teammates’ laughter pierced her like a physical wound. She hugged her knees to her chest, feeling a chill despite the warm air. She didn't stay long.