Gemotions

The silence in the car was deafening. Sarah stared out the window, the passing landscape a blur of colors. Her father’s attempts at cheerful conversation felt forced and hollow. The tryout results had been posted an hour ago, and the weight of it still sat in her stomach like a stone.

She picked at the loose threads on her jeans, her fingers restless. She’d dedicated her whole life to this sport. Now, all that effort seemed for nothing. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the passing trees. The world, once vibrant and full of possibilities, now seemed muted and gray.