Gemotions

The referee blew the whistle, and the coach signaled for a timeout. He looked directly at me. "Emily, we need you on the bench for a bit." Emily felt a sharp, cutting sensation in her stomach. Years of practicing and striving for the lead position. Now, this?

She wanted to argue, to protest, to demand a valid reason. But the words were caught in her throat. Her fists were clenched as she watched the game from the side-lines. She hated it. The frustration was overwhelming.

The familiar, reassuring hum of the crowd faded. The vibrant colors of the court seemed muted. The world felt muffled, distant, and utterly, totally wrong.