Gemotions

He’d been the favourite. He’d felt it, seen it in the other players' glances. Now, staring at the selection board, Mark’s breath hitched. His name was missing. A strange buzzing filled his ears, a constant, irritating hum.

He ran a hand over his closely-cropped hair, feeling the rough texture of the stubble. The training, the sacrifices, the pressure, all coalescing into a sharp pain in his chest. A hollowness echoed within him.

He watched the team gather, their cheers filling the gym. They were clapping, congratulating each other, excited for the season to come. He felt like an outsider, a ghost.