Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Liam's forehead as he stared at the coach's office door. His stomach churned. He’d seen the list taped to the locker room door earlier, but he hadn't dared look. Now, Coach Miller had summoned him. Liam bounced the basketball he was holding, the squeak of the rubber loud in the sudden quiet of the hallway. He told himself to breathe. In. Out. But his chest felt tight, constricted. He knew what was coming. He could feel it in the tremors that shook his hands. He wiped his palms on his worn basketball shorts and knocked.

“Come in, Liam,” Coach Miller's voice boomed from the other side. Liam pushed the door open, the fluorescent lights of the office seeming too bright, too harsh.