Gemotions

“You’re on the end line, Maya.” The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy and significant. Maya, a dedicated setter, felt a rush of heat flood her face. This was unthinkable. She was accustomed to the center of the action, the orchestrator. Now, she was relegated to a spot she’d barely considered.

She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. She kept herself from fidgeting. Her hands felt clumsy, alien. She glanced at the bench, seeing her teammate’s expectant eyes.

She imagined the ball soaring over the net, her failing to do the task assigned to her. The thought sent a jolt of anxiety through her.