Gemotions

The trophy case, usually a source of pride, now felt like a taunt. Sarah stared at the glittering display, the polished wood reflecting her own hollow gaze. Her parents had dedicated an entire wall to her successes, and now all those dreams, all those hours, everything felt… flat.

She ran a hand along the glass, the cool surface offering no comfort. The news of her exclusion from the varsity team was still fresh, stinging. Her teammates were celebrating their victory, she knew, but she could not bring herself to join them.

She felt a wave of nausea. Her heart felt heavy, the rhythm slow and uneven. She turned and walked away, the trophies fading behind her, the echo of her own footsteps the only sound.