Gemotions

He stared at the blank sheet music, the symbols swimming before his eyes. David, the lead trumpet player, had always thrived in the spotlight. Now, his music director wanted him to play the tuba. The bass line. He felt the blood drain from his face, and his lips felt numb.

The weight of the instrument, its imposing size, felt like a physical burden. He ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd adopted years ago. The brass section seemed to be mocking him. The music began, and he felt lost, adrift in a sea of unfamiliar notes.