Gemotions

"Come on, you can do this!" Maya's best friend had urged her at breakfast. Maya felt her whole body zing with the thrill of the upcoming competition. She'd poured her heart and soul into the dance routine, and she just knew she would crush it. The music seemed to pulse through her veins, driving her forward.

She’d danced her best. The judges had smiled. The applause had been deafening. Then, the results. An extremely low score. Her smile crumbled.

Her limbs went heavy. Her breath hitched. The cheering in her ears vanished, replaced by a hollow echo. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.