Gemotions

Liam ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, the rough strands catching on his knuckles. He reread the email, the words mocking him with their cold, impersonal tone. “Thank you for your interest…unfortunately…” The sentence twisted in his stomach like a knot. He’d envisioned himself in that jersey, hearing the roar of the crowd. He’d spent countless nights perfecting his free throws, practicing his footwork until his legs screamed.

He felt as if he was standing at the edge of a cliff, the wind whipping around him, the ground crumbling beneath his feet. He took a shaky breath, trying to regain his equilibrium. His mind struggled to find purchase, a sea of unanswered questions washing over him. He felt strangely disconnected, as though watching this scene unfold from a great distance.