Gemotions

Liam clenched and unclenched his fists. He kept pacing the sidelines, a restless shadow against the setting sun. The football coach had promised the news at 5:00 PM. It was now 5:17. Every creak of the bleachers, every rustle of leaves in the autumn breeze, sent a jolt of anticipation through him. He checked his phone again, though he knew there wouldn't be a text. A knot tightened in his stomach. He pictured the starting lineup, imagined himself in his usual position. The wait was a physical weight, pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.