Gemotions

"No, no, no," Leo muttered under his breath, tracing the outline of the rejection email on his phone screen. His fingers were trembling. He’d meticulously planned this season, the training regime, the dietary changes. He'd envisioned himself on the court, feeling the thrum of the ball against his hands. Now, everything felt hazy, uncertain. He paced his small apartment, the worn floorboards groaning beneath his restless feet. The celebratory phone calls from his family felt like pinpricks.