Gemotions

"You're shifting to right wing, Maya," the captain said, the words hanging in the tense silence of the locker room. Maya’s breath hitched in her chest. She had always played defense, relishing the controlled chaos and the strategic challenges of protecting the goal. Now, this.

She glanced at the other players, their expressions a mixture of surprise and… something else she couldn’t quite decipher. A wave of heat washed over her, making her cheeks burn. The familiar smell of liniment and sweat felt suddenly overwhelming, stifling.

She imagined herself skating up the ice, the puck at her stick, facing a barrage of shots from the other team. The thought sent a cold shiver down her spine. Her legs felt heavy, as if they were anchored to the floor.