Gemotions

The weight of the baton felt right in her hand, the smooth surface a comforting tactile point of focus. Olivia took her place on the track, the familiar tension of the relay race coursing through her veins. She thrived in her position as the anchor, the responsibility, the pressure. She felt perfectly prepared to run.

Her coach, Ms. Chen, approached her with a slightly worried expression. "Olivia, we are going to try to put you on the first leg of the race."

Olivia felt a wave of resistance.

"But... I want to finish the race," she said, her voice betraying a hint of confusion. The thought of starting rather than finishing threw her off kilter.