Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of Maya's tiny apartment, mirroring the storm inside her. She hadn't bothered to turn on the lights, preferring the gray gloom. Her track bag lay discarded by the door, the vibrant green of her team jersey still inside, mocking her. She hadn’t touched it since the tryouts.

A sharp pang of disappointment echoed through her as she remembered the coach's words: "Not quite there this year, Maya. We'll be watching your progress." The words hung in the air, a constant reminder of her failure. She slumped onto the couch, the cushions offering no comfort.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off a sudden chill. The silence of the apartment pressed in on her, heavy and suffocating. A tear escaped and traced a lonely path down her cheek.