Gemotions

The soccer ball felt like a lead weight at his feet. After years of running up and down the field as a wing, Carlos was asked to play goalkeeper. The news had sunk into him, leaving him feeling as though the world had tilted on its axis. He didn’t want to be the goalie.

He stood in the goal, the crossbar looming over him, a barrier between him and the game he loved. The sun beat down, the green grass felt distant, and his teammates' shouts sounded muffled. The thrill of the chase was gone, replaced by a dull ache.

The shouts of the crowd seemed to mock him, and his hands trembled as he prepared for the next shot. He missed the feeling of the wind in his hair, the burn in his legs. He felt like he was trapped, alone, and watching everyone else have all the fun.