Gemotions

The announcement crackled over the intercom, a disembodied voice informing everyone that she would be moving from setter to libero. Her fingers twitched, itching to grab something, to break something. She gripped the edge of the bleacher seat, knuckles white. All the meticulous planning, the strategic understanding of the game built as a setter. Gone.

“But… the team needs you,” Coach’s voice sounded, smooth and irritating. She stared out at the court, the net a hateful barrier. She wanted to scream, to tear apart that facade of calm.

She stood abruptly, her heart hammering against her ribs. The other girls gave her sympathetic looks, but she just wanted to be left alone. She took a furious walk outside, the crisp air doing little to soothe the rage that threatened to consume her.