Gemotions

The concert hall was packed, the air thick with anticipation. Marco fiddled with the strap of his messenger bag, the casualness of his actions belying his inner turmoil. He’d seen her briefly during the intermission, a flash of recognition in her eyes before she quickly looked away.

The music began, but Marco could barely concentrate. The performance was excellent, but he felt as though he was a pariah.

He felt her presence beside him, her soft scent, a fragrance he had come to associate with his own secret. Her hand brushed his, a fleeting, accidental contact that sent a jolt of anxiety through him. He couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze, the weight of their shared truth pressing down on him like a physical burden.