Gemotions

The weight room seemed to shrink with every passing minute. James ran his hands through his hair, over and over, as if trying to physically smooth out the tension. He'd always been a point guard, the heart of the team, the one who orchestrated the plays. Now, the coach wanted him to play center.

He looked at the barbell. He felt suddenly heavy, weighed down by this new expectation. His stomach churned. It meant blocking, rebounding, the physical clashes. He was a thinker, a strategist. He didn’t want to bash bodies.

His chest felt tight, constricted. He wasn’t sure he could do this. He was sure he *didn't* want to.