Gemotions

“You’re going to be a libero, Ethan,” the volleyball coach had announced. Ethan, the team's primary attacker, froze. The other players' expressions were a mix of concern and curiosity, but the coach was oblivious.

The training was endless. Setting, not spiking. Defensive drills, not offensive plays. Ethan’s arms felt heavy, his legs sluggish. His jump wasn’t utilized anymore. The joy he once found in leaping, the power in his swings, seemed like a forgotten dream.

He’d always thrived on the thrill of the kill, the rush of adrenaline. Now, he was relegated to a role he considered less important, less exciting. He practiced the defensive postures robotically, his movements lacking the spark he once possessed.