Gemotions

The locker room felt cavernous, even with the remaining few players. Coach Johnson felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. This was not how he wanted to start the season. He watched from the entrance as players gathered their gear, their laughter echoing in the empty space. He'd done the math, the evaluations, the drills, but the result still felt askew.

He kept seeing the face of Emily, quiet and determined. She was a workhorse, always giving her best. She was not the most talented, but she had a relentless spirit. He knew how much this meant to her, how hard she had worked.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling hands. He had to tell her. He walked towards her, the floorboards of the locker room seeming to creak under his weight. Her back was to him.

"Emily?" The name sounded foreign to his own ears.