Gemotions

The roaring crowd made it difficult to hear as the coach beckoned. Mark, a skilled outside hitter on the volleyball team, was going to try and play setter. The coach explained it was to help the team, but Mark felt a coldness inside him, a fear of being in the spotlight. He'd always liked things under his control.

He watched the setter on the other team, studying his every move, noting how he placed the ball for the hitters. He felt like his eyes were darting from player to player, each movement studied. He felt the need to predict, to anticipate. His hands itched.

He set the ball to a teammate, and then watched to see what happened. He was in the center of attention and wanted to find a good rhythm. He wanted to make sure they won.