Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the team bus, mirroring the tempest inside Maya. She stared out at the blurred city lights, the vibrant colors seeming to mock her. The coach’s announcement felt like a punch to the gut: *We’re moving you to setter, Maya.* Her arms, accustomed to the raw power of spiking, felt suddenly useless. All the years of honing her offensive skill, all the dedication, now wasted.

She ran her hand through her damp hair, leaving it plastered to her forehead. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach, a physical manifestation of her discontent. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the celebratory chatter of her teammates, their excitement grating on her already fragile nerves.

The journey home felt interminable. She pulled her hoodie tighter, shutting herself off from the world. Her phone buzzed; a congratulatory text from her father. She just let it sit there. Unread.