Gemotions

The green of the tennis court suddenly felt alien. Serena, the team's ace, had just been told to start playing doubles. She’d always preferred singles, the solitary duel, the focused pressure. Her coach, Ms. Chen, had just delivered the news.

“Serena, you’re needed on the doubles team,” Ms. Chen had said, her tone businesslike. Serena stared at the net, her usual confidence replaced by a hollow ache. The sun felt too bright, the air too thin.

Her racket felt unfamiliar in her hand, heavy and burdensome. She couldn't understand. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her heart pounded a frantic tattoo against her ribs.

“But… I’ve always played singles,” she finally mumbled, her voice almost lost to the wind. Ms. Chen only gave her a pointed look. Serena felt as though she had been thrust into a foreign land.