Gemotions

Maya bounced on the balls of her feet, the crisp autumn air nipping at her cheeks. The gymnasium doors loomed, smelling of polished wood and sweat. She could almost taste the thrill of the upcoming season. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a rapid drumbeat mirroring the energy that seemed to surge through every fiber of her being. She grinned, the anticipation so potent it felt like a fizzy drink bubbling in her veins. She'd poured her soul into the tryouts, every drill executed with fierce determination. Now, it was just the waiting.

Her name wasn’t called. She watched, jaw slackening, as the coach announced the final roster, a list of names that seemed to blur before her eyes. The air around her suddenly felt heavy, the joyful buzz in the room muted. A cold knot twisted in her stomach, and the smile she had been wearing felt frozen on her face. Disappointment, like a wave, crashed over her. She blinked, feeling a prickle behind her eyes.