Gemotions

The coach's words hung in the air, thick and heavy. Maya, a dedicated setter for the volleyball team, felt her hands clench into fists. It was as if she'd been physically struck. "You're going to play middle blocker from now on," he’d said, his voice as matter-of-fact as if he were ordering a pizza. A flush crept up her neck, and she could feel her heartbeat accelerating. Her carefully planned routine, her years of practice, all the muscle memory… it was as if someone had pulled the rug right out from under her. She bit her lip and fought the urge to say something, anything.