Gemotions

The waiting room was stifling, the air thick with unspoken tension. Coach Ramirez sat across from me, a picture of false calm. His meticulously organized desk only served to amplify the sense of control, and my resentment for his composure. It was a calculated performance.

He'd been talking for what seemed like an age, reiterating the team's goals, the importance of teamwork, the value of commitment. I barely heard a word. I just wanted it to be over. I shifted in my chair.

Finally, he leaned forward, the smile no longer reaching his eyes.