Gemotions

The pool water felt cold against David's skin. He was a backstroker. The coach's suggestion, to try butterfly, felt like a challenge, but he did not feel up to it. His chest felt constricted. He felt as if he was waiting for something, though he did not know what. He gripped the edge of the pool, his knuckles white.

He watched the other swimmers, their strokes fluid and practiced. He just wanted to dive in, to feel the familiar rhythm of his own stroke. He glanced at the clock, its hands seemingly frozen. He needed to get this over with, to move on. He took a deep breath and began to run in place.