Gemotions

“Just breathe,” she muttered to herself, staring at the blank white wall of her bedroom. Elena had been trying to read her textbook for the past hour, but the words wouldn’t stick. The sentences danced, and her focus evaporated. The air felt heavy, suffocating. She threw the book on the floor.

Her leg bounced incessantly, a nervous tick she couldn't control. She felt trapped. The dance team tryouts had been a disaster. She knew she hadn't performed well. She envisioned the coach's face, the subtle shake of the head. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

She sprang up, walked towards her closet, and grabbed her dance bag. She needed to move, to burn off the nervous energy that was coursing through her. She felt like a caged animal. She blasted the music, and began to move, pushing herself to the point of exhaustion.