Gemotions

"Next!" barked Coach Miller, his voice amplified by the cavernous gym. Sarah stood at the edge of the mat, her palms slick with sweat. She’d spent every evening for the last year perfecting her routine. She had visualized the team and the coach's face every day.

The buzzer sounded. Two girls were called up. Neither was her.

She lowered herself to the floor, her legs suddenly heavy, and began stretching. Every muscle was tense. She felt a familiar thrumming in her temples, a pulsing rhythm that matched the beat of her own heart. She took a long, slow breath, concentrating on the sensation of air filling her lungs.

She went through the motions again, and again, running it in her mind. She would continue to practice until she could do it with her eyes closed.