Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the gymnasium swam in Elias’s vision. He blinked, trying to clear the haze that had settled over everything since Coach Miller had called him into the office. The rhythmic thump of basketballs against the polished wood floor seemed distant, muffled, as though heard through a thick wall. He gripped the strap of his backpack, knuckles white, the worn fabric a familiar anchor in this unsettling moment. He found himself walking in the opposite direction from the locker room, away from the camaraderie he usually craved.

The hallway stretched before him, an endless expanse of gray lockers and echoing footsteps. His feet felt heavy, each step a conscious effort. He bumped into a stack of neatly folded gym mats, barely registering the impact. He mumbled an apology to no one in particular, the words lost in the vastness of the space.

He stumbled outside, the crisp autumn air a shock to his system. He automatically headed towards the soccer field, the sun warm on his face, though he couldn't remember why. The practiced motions of the other players felt alien to him, a script he was no longer part of.