Gemotions

The aroma of freshly cut grass, usually so invigorating, now seemed oppressive. The coach’s words echoed in Leo's ears, each syllable a blow. He was being cut, just like that. He’d envisioned this year differently. He'd dedicated his entire life to baseball.

He felt a strange lightness in his limbs, as if gravity had momentarily ceased to exist. His jaw muscles tightened involuntarily. He found himself staring at his cleats, as if searching for an answer there. He took a shaky breath, the air catching in his chest. His world had abruptly shifted.