Gemotions

The cricket bat leaned against the wall, a silent rebuke. Mark avoided looking at it as he sat on his bed, the news of his omission from the team still ringing in his ears. His father had always pushed him, always believed in him.

He replayed the moment he was told the news. The coach's expression, the polite dismissal. The training had felt pointless, all the dedication, the sacrifices for nothing.

He had promised his friends he'd make the team. He felt the weight of that unfulfilled promise, the shame of letting them down. The thought of facing them filled him with dread. He closed his eyes.