Gemotions

He walked the familiar route, the park a blur of green and brown. The crisp autumn air did nothing to clear the fog in his brain. The head coaching position for the high school basketball team had been the goal, for both him and Mark. He felt like he was carrying a boulder around with him. He had gotten the job. Mark hadn't.

He remembered the countless hours they had spent on the court together, strategizing, dreaming. The shared passion, the camaraderie, now felt tainted. He imagined Mark's face, the disappointment etched in his features.

He stopped, leaning against a tree, his breath catching in his throat. He thought of their last conversation, filled with excited anticipation. The world had tilted, shifted, leaving him feeling unbalanced.