Gemotions

The silence that followed the coach's announcement was deafening. It felt like the world had stopped, and everyone else had gone on without him. Ava’s hands instinctively flew to her mouth, covering her lips as if to contain the scream that threatened to erupt.

The taste of metal flooded her mouth, and she realized she'd bitten her lip. Her vision blurred, and the room began to spin. She blinked, trying to clear the sudden, overwhelming sensation of dizziness. The coach was still talking, but the words were a jumble, a meaningless drone.

She felt a wave of nausea. Her stomach churned. The brightly lit gymnasium, usually a place of joy and camaraderie, now felt like a prison.