Gemotions

The bleachers felt strangely empty, despite the echoes of cheers still lingering in the air. Sarah fidgeted with the hem of her jersey, the fabric twisting into a tight knot around her fingers. She'd been practicing her free throws all afternoon, hoping it would somehow change things. It was no use.

The sun beat down on her, but she felt a bone-deep chill. She kept replaying the last practice, every missed pass, every hesitant sprint. She wanted to scream.

Her stomach churned. Each passing second seemed to stretch into an eternity. When Coach Davis finally called her over, she almost tripped on her own feet.