Gemotions

“Next!” The coach’s voice boomed across the court. Maria froze, her feet glued to the painted lines. She could feel the stares of her teammates, the weight of their expectations. The words were a thick fog in her ears. She hadn't even heard the coach call her name during the team selection announcement.

She felt a wave of dizziness, and grabbed the net to steady herself. Her palms were slick, and she wiped them quickly against her shorts. The world seemed to shrink around her, the cheers of the winning players fading into a dull hum. She wanted to scream, to lash out, to disappear. A metallic taste filled her mouth, as if she were about to be physically ill.