Gemotions

The clipboard slipped from Maya's trembling fingers, clattering onto the gym floor. Her teammates’ celebratory shouts felt like a swarm of angry wasps buzzing in her ears. She stared at the roster, the cruel, neat handwriting of Coach Miller blurring before her tear-filled eyes. Her name wasn't there. All her hard work, the grueling early morning practices, the aching muscles, the sacrifices... all for nothing. A wave of nausea rolled through her. She bolted for the locker room, the metallic tang of sweat and fear filling her nostrils.