Gemotions

He was halfway through a practice soccer session when he saw the notification. The coach, Mr. Garcia, had followed him on Instagram. Mark's initial excitement evaporated. He knew it was fine, but a feeling of intense pressure settled in his chest.

His legs felt heavy. The upcoming tournament, the expectations from his teammates, the pressure of family obligations – it all seemed to coalesce into a single, unbearable weight. He felt a throbbing pulse in his temples.

He stood frozen on the field, watching his teammates move effortlessly. He felt so utterly inadequate, and the thought of trying to keep up felt impossible. He simply wanted to stop.