Gemotions

The tennis court felt enormous, the white lines stretching out into an endless void. Serena, a singles player, was now being partnered for doubles. The change left her feeling displaced, a small boat lost at sea. The cheers of her teammates echoed around her, but she felt no warmth from them.

She sat alone, her racket resting on the ground. The sun beat down, but she felt cold. She watched her teammates practicing their serves, their movements fluid and coordinated. She felt awkward. It had felt like the players had all found their own place, but she hadn't.

She walked home alone, the silence amplifying the weight in her chest. The thought of tomorrow's practice, of learning a new dynamic and adapting to a new role, felt like a monumental task. She was struggling to cope.