Gemotions

"Could you keep it down, love?" The words, a polite request, still stung. Sarah’s cheeks burned. The party, she thought, hadn’t been *that* loud.

She forced a smile, murmuring an apology. She didn’t meet Mr. Peterson’s gaze. She watched him walk away. The music seemed to become louder, now a source of deep anxiety.

She quickly walked in, shutting the door. Her breath hitched. She went around her apartment and turned off the music. The apartment felt cold and empty, with the music gone. She avoided eye contact with her friends, her earlier cheer replaced by a strange detachment.