Gemotions

The old photographs lay scattered on the bed. Sarah picked up the one of them with the winning trophy, their faces flushed with triumph. Beside her, Emily was lost in the moment. "We were unstoppable," she said with a laugh.

Sarah traced the outline of the trophy with a trembling finger. She remembered the elation. She remembered the cheers. But she also remembered the hours of secret practice, the hidden sacrifices.

She recalled the fear, the pressure she felt that Emily had never known, because she had been the one to shoulder it. Her breath hitched. She had been so afraid of letting Emily down.

She swallowed hard, avoiding her friend’s gaze.