Gemotions

“I want you to try out for goalie.” The words hung in the air, heavy and poisonous. I looked up at the coach, struggling to keep my voice even. My whole body felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap. I’d trained and trained to get my speed up as a winger.

"That's not… I've never played goalie.” My voice cracked. He just smiled, a patronizing gesture. I felt my face flush, a heat wave spreading from my chest to my ears. My jaw locked.

The training room felt suddenly too small. I felt suffocated. I turned and stormed out, barely acknowledging the bewildered faces of my teammates. The world narrowed to a tunnel of pure, consuming fury.