Gemotions

Liam stared out the bus window, the passing scenery a blur of color and motion. The sun, a bright yellow disc in the cloudless sky, felt less like warmth and more like a spotlight, highlighting his failure. His chest felt constricted. He’d dreamt of this, of wearing the Eagles jersey, of the roar of the crowd. Now, he was just another face in the audience.

His shoulders slumped as the bus approached his stop. He wanted to go anywhere but home. The thought of facing his dad, the look of pride, now shattered, felt unbearable. He kicked at the floor, the metal clanging against his worn sneakers.

He fiddled with the strap of his backpack, a nervous habit. The weight of it, usually a familiar comfort, now felt like a leaden burden. He pulled out his phone, stared at the screen, and then quickly shoved it back into his pocket. He just wasn’t in the mood to read the messages congratulating the team.