Gemotions

“You’re moving to goalie, Jackson,” the coach announced, his voice neutral. Jackson, usually the star striker. He felt a jolt of shock, then a wave of fear. He'd always been on the offensive, relishing the thrill of scoring, the glory of victory. The idea of being solely responsible for preventing goals was terrifying.

He felt awkward in the net, clumsy and exposed. He made mistake after mistake, each error punctuated by the angry shouts of his teammates. The weight of their disappointment was crushing. He saw himself as the weak link.

He retreated into himself, avoiding contact with his friends and family. At night, he lay in bed, replaying the mistakes in his mind, feeling a sense of shame. He was convinced that he had ruined his chance at success.