Gemotions

The manager clapped his hands loudly, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet chess club. "Alex, you're now going to be playing white." Alex nodded, but inside, he was shaking. He had always played black, his strategic comfort zone.

He saw Daniel, who usually played white, beaming. He felt his cheeks grow hot, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil. He gripped the edge of his chair, his knuckles white.

He watched Daniel walk over to greet another player. A deep, unpleasant sensation clawed at his insides.