Gemotions

The wind whipped around the practice field, carrying with it the scent of freshly cut grass. Coach Ramirez felt the chill seep into his bones, mirroring the icy sensation in his heart. He watched Sarah walk away, her back straight but her shoulders trembling slightly. He wanted to call her back.

He’d known her since she was a little girl, kicking a ball around the park. He’d seen the dedication, the grit, the sheer love for the game. Letting her go was like losing a piece of himself, a painful, unwelcome separation.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his hand as he reached for his water bottle. The metallic taste of the water seemed wrong, somehow tainted. The setting sun cast long shadows, stretching the emptiness on the field. He hated what he had to do.