Gemotions

"Alright, alright, here we go!" Liam's voice rang out, practically bubbling with excitement. He could barely contain himself as he strode into the locker room, slapping teammates on the back and grinning widely. He knew he'd earned his spot on the varsity squad. He'd put everything he had into every practice, every drill, every game.

He saw the list and his smile faltered. His eyes moved rapidly as he searched for his name. It wasn't there. He read it again, slowly this time. The weight of the moment sunk in, compressing his chest. He felt a sudden, heavy silence in the room, as if the world had suddenly muted itself. He sank down onto a bench, the initial fervor replaced by a crushing stillness.