Gemotions

The smell of chlorine usually energized Javier, but today, it just made him feel worse. The water, normally inviting, felt cold and unwelcoming. He’d given his all at the swimming trials, but the coaches had made their decision. He was out.

He pushed off the wall, but his stroke felt clumsy, inefficient. He could feel the resistance of the water against him, an oppressive force. His arms and legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to cut through the water with their usual grace.

He stopped, gasping for breath, the taste of disappointment bitter on his tongue. The cheers from the other swimmers seemed to fade in and out, like a distorted radio signal. He climbed out of the pool, feeling the chill of the air on his wet skin.