Gemotions

The news seemed to suck the air from the room. Chloe had worked tirelessly for years at her chosen sport, gymnastics. The selection for the Nationals team was posted, and her name, as usual, was nowhere to be seen. The familiar ache settled in her chest, a weight that threatened to crush her.

She turned away, wanting to run, to hide from the glares of the other girls, the excited buzz of their voices. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to contain the fury that was threatening to explode.

She couldn’t understand. She gave it her all. More than anyone else. She felt a burning need to prove them wrong, to show them she was as good, maybe even better.