Gemotions

"We think your versatility would be better suited for the bench, Sam," the volleyball coach declared with a patronizing pat on the back. Sam, a setter, felt as if the air had been stolen from her lungs. She had dedicated herself to setting, to running the offense, to leading her team.

Her face flushed, her jaw tight. She swallowed, trying to force down the feeling in her throat, the lump that threatened to overwhelm her. The court, once her haven, suddenly felt hostile. She thought of her years of training, of practice, of sweat. All for this moment?

She looked at her teammates, their faces a mixture of surprise and awkwardness. Her hands felt clumsy, useless. She nodded curtly, the words trapped in her throat. She felt like a stranger now.