Gemotions

The smell of stale popcorn and hot dogs filled the gymnasium, a smell that normally signified anticipation and excitement. But today, for Jake, it was just the beginning of a bad omen. He was a small, quick point guard, known for his speed and agility. Now, he was being asked to try center.

A knot formed in his stomach. He felt his face grow hot. His head spun.

"Jake, your height can be an asset under the basket,” the coach had said. Asset? *Asset?!* He wanted to scream. All that time spent honing his dribbling skills, his passes... wasted? The squeak of sneakers on the polished floor seemed to grate on his nerves.