Gemotions

The buffet table was a blur of colors and scents, but Emily couldn't bring herself to eat. Every morsel she forced down felt like a lead weight in her stomach. The happy chatter of the other guests sounded distant, distorted, like a foreign language. She felt a constant, nagging unease.

She’d spent the last hour avoiding the dance floor, the bar, and any potential points of intersection. She found herself repeatedly checking her phone, hoping for an excuse to leave. Every footstep echoed in her ears.

Then, she saw his eyes meet hers across the room. Her carefully constructed facade threatened to crumble, leaving her feeling utterly exposed.