Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Coach Ramirez's brow, a constant, irritating dampness. He kept glancing at the paper in his hands, the official team roster. Each name was a student he knew, a player he had worked with, a kid he cared about. He felt the familiar squeeze in his chest he always got before a bad meeting with a parent.

He slammed his fist on his desk in frustration. He was being forced into it. The school administration had given him a mandate he didn't agree with. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture frantic.

He saw the boy waiting outside his office. He could see his anxious face through the window. He wanted to run away and hide.