Gemotions

“Are you even going to eat that?” His mother's voice was gentle, but it still felt like a pinprick. Michael barely shook his head, pushing the food around on his plate. The football team, he knew it was a long shot, but the reality of not making it still hurt.

The house felt too bright, too loud. He wanted to escape, to disappear. He retreated to his room, slamming the door behind him. The walls of his room seemed to close in, and he felt a pressure on his chest as he closed his eyes.

He imagined the cheers of the crowd, the thrill of the game, things that were now just memories of a different life. He wanted to disappear.