Gemotions

The bus roared to life, filled with the excited chatter of the new hockey team. Michael stood at the edge of the parking lot, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, watching them. A wave of dizziness washed over him.

He was supposed to be on that bus. He had envisioned himself in that uniform, traveling with the team, scoring goals. Instead, he was stuck here. He stared at the bus as it pulled away, the red tail lights shrinking into the distance.

He kicked a pebble across the pavement, the sound echoing in the sudden quiet. He felt a deep, profound sense of loss, a gaping hole where excitement and camaraderie should have been. The sun seemed less bright, the air less crisp.