Gemotions

The rhythmic thud of the volleyball echoed in Clara’s ears. She, the team’s setter, was now being asked to play libero. The libero. The defender. The position that was so different to her own.

A bitter taste rose in her throat. She gripped the volleyball tightly. The familiar comfort of setting, of directing the plays, was being ripped away. She knew she was good at setting. Now, she was unsure of her place.

The court seemed vast, the net a barrier. She felt like an imposter. The camaraderie, the easy banter with her teammates, seemed distant, unreachable. She felt lost.