Gemotions

He'd spent the whole tryout thinking about this moment, and yet, nothing could've prepared him for the sting. The kid, fresh out of middle school, got the spot. He saw the coach's face, the pity in his eyes. He saw the kid's face, the elation. He saw his own face, reflected in the dusty mirror in the hallway. A mask of… something. He couldn't quite place it, but the emotions swirling inside made him feel like he'd swallowed a bucket of ice.

He kicked a discarded water bottle across the floor, the plastic skittering across the tile. A wave of bitterness washed over him. He’d dedicated every summer to basketball, all for nothing. He bit the inside of his cheek, tasting the metallic tang of blood. He needed to get away, to be alone.