Gemotions

The clock on the wall seemed to tick in slow motion. Coach Evans drummed his fingers on the clipboard, each tap a tiny explosion of frustration. He paced the sidelines of the football field, the crisp autumn air doing nothing to clear the fog in his brain. The post-practice silence was a heavy shroud, smothering any lingering enthusiasm. He felt listless, adrift in a sea of unspoken words.

He was waiting for Matt, a talented wide receiver. But the kid's grades had slipped, and the team had a strict 'no grades, no play' policy. The inevitable conversation loomed, and the thought of it made the muscles in his jaw clench. He kept glancing at his watch, counting down the seconds until he could finally address the situation. The wait was the worst part.