Gemotions

He saw her across the room, and his blood turned to ice. A shiver ran down his spine, a coldness that had nothing to do with the air conditioning. He knew he should be graceful, that he should at least nod in her direction, but the words wouldn't come.

He excused himself from the conversation he was engaged in, murmuring something about needing fresh air. He walked towards the open doors of the patio, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. His legs felt heavy, as if he were wading through mud.

He leaned against the brick wall, taking deep, ragged breaths, trying to calm the hammering in his chest. The sky looked vast and empty, mirroring the feeling inside him.