Gemotions

"But…but that's not possible," Leo stammered, his voice thin and reedy in the crowded room. He gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles were white, as if he could somehow anchor himself to reality. He’d visualized this moment for years: the team photo, the training camp, the roar of the crowd. Now, the coach's words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. He wanted to shout, to argue, to demand a recount, but the words caught in his throat, a tight knot of disbelief. He kept replaying the tryouts in his head, reliving every successful shot, every perfect pass, searching for a clue he had overlooked.