Gemotions

He’d imagined the coach calling his name, the thrum of the crowd fading as he stepped onto the court, the roar of the fans. Now, silence. Liam slumped onto the bench, the worn wood suddenly unforgiving beneath him. He ran a hand over his shaved head, the smoothness a stark contrast to the rough feel of the ball he'd been cradling.

His stomach twisted into a knot. He’d visualized the starting lineup countless times, the plays he would execute, the game-winning shots he’d sink. It seemed so real. Now, a strange disorientation washed over him. He felt disconnected, as if looking in from the outside.

He saw the other players, their faces alight with a mixture of relief and anticipation. They were shaking hands, clapping each other on the back, preparing to start the new season. He wanted to feel that too, but he couldn't.