Gemotions

The locker room felt cavernous, the silence amplified by the rhythmic dripping of a leaky faucet. Ethan stared at his cleats, meticulously scrubbing away a speck of mud that wasn't really there. Coach Miller’s words echoed in his ears, a low rumble he couldn’t seem to shake. He had given it his all. Every sprint, every practice, every agonizing rep. And it wasn’t enough.

His stomach twisted into a tight knot. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but the only sound he could manage was a choked breath. He felt a burning in his eyes, the sting a familiar companion these past few days.

He pulled his jersey over his head, the fabric catching slightly as he fumbled with the clasp. The team would be meeting at the pizza place down the road after practice. He wouldn’t be going.