Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Liam's back as he sat on the bleachers, the rhythmic squeak of sneakers on the basketball court a soundtrack to his misery. The team was announced, and his name hadn't been called. He knew, he *knew*, he should have practiced his free throws more.

He gripped the railing so tightly his knuckles turned white. He had let his teammates down. His father had driven him to every practice. He saw his face. He felt like he had let everyone down. The weight of it pressed down on him, crushing.

He avoided eye contact with the few who acknowledged him, his throat tight with unspoken apologies. He had to go tell his friends. He couldn't.