Gemotions

She hummed a tuneless melody as she laced up her cleats. The rhythmic pull and knot of each shoelace was a familiar comfort. The weight of the ball in her hands was reassuring, the leather smooth against her skin. The smell of freshly cut grass, the afternoon sun warming her face, the familiar shouts of her teammates: all of it combined into an atmosphere of certainty. Her heart felt calm.

The coach's voice, usually booming with encouragement, was surprisingly quiet when he called her over.

"Can you come here, please?"

She walked over to him, ball still tucked firmly under her arm.