Gemotions

"So, Maria, we're thinking you'd be a better fit as a defensive midfielder." The coach’s tone was cheerful, almost sickeningly so. Maria, the team's top goal scorer, who had a laser-like accuracy, was being asked to… defend? She kept her gaze fixed on her cleats, tracing the worn lines with a trembling finger.

She nodded, forcing the words out, "Okay, Coach." It was a lie. Her stomach twisted into knots. The familiar joy she usually felt on the pitch was replaced by a dull ache. The team captain gave her a questioning look, and she quickly averted her eyes, unable to meet her gaze.

She practiced passing drills, the ball feeling like a heavy, unwelcome burden. The sweet satisfaction of scoring goals, the thrill of the chase, were now distant memories. The air tasted stale, and she wondered if she would ever feel the exhilaration of playing again.