Gemotions

The locker room felt cavernous, the fluorescent lights buzzing a monotonous song. Sarah stared at her reflection, the vibrant team colors of the volleyball squad shimmering on the wall behind her. That wasn’t her jersey hanging there. Her shoulders slumped; she pulled the worn drawstring of her gym bag tighter, as if to physically hold herself together. Each breath was a struggle, a tiny weight in her chest.

She’d imagined this moment a thousand times, the cheers, the shared camaraderie. Instead, the air tasted like disappointment, metallic and stale. She slowly picked up her water bottle, unscrewing the cap and taking a large gulp, the cold water barely reaching the knot in her throat.

A teammate’s cheerful voice cut through the silence. “Hey, you okay? Tough luck, huh?” Sarah just managed a weak nod. She needed to escape, to be alone with the heavy feeling that clung to her like damp wool.