Gemotions

The concert hall buzzed with anticipation. Liam adjusted his tie, feeling his stomach churn. He’d tracked down Ben, his childhood confidant, hoping to rekindle their bond. He’d always felt a special kinship with him. Now, faced with Ben’s polite, distant gaze, the joy evaporated.

"Sorry, the name doesn't really connect," Ben said, as he gestured to a seat a few rows away. Liam felt his face grow hot. He'd even brought a photograph, a faded image of them building a fort in the woods. He stuffed it back into his pocket, his fingers fumbling. He mumbled a quick goodbye, his words swallowed by the rising crescendo of the orchestra tuning up. He wanted to disappear, melt into the plush velvet of the seat.