Gemotions

A bead of sweat trickled down Sarah’s temple as she re-read the list. Her fingers drummed against the crisp paper, a nervous but excited tattoo. She glanced at the faces of the hopefuls, her own expression carefully neutral. Inside, a feeling like fizzy soda bubbled.

"Okay, listen up," she announced to the hopefuls, the words tumbling out slightly faster than intended. “I’m going to read off the names of those who've made the team.” The gym air felt thick, heavy with the weight of expectation.

She read the list, her voice growing increasingly animated with each successful name. Then, she paused. “And for the last spot… it’s not you, Emily.” A rush of exhilaration coursed through her, the kind that made her chest feel tight and her vision sharpen.

The coach felt a compulsion to start jumping jacks.