Gemotions

He found out about it through a mutual acquaintance. “Oh, you've got a painting in the new restaurant, right?" The words hung in the air, a cruel announcement. Kai, the painter in question, felt his face flush hot, then cold. He’d never granted anyone the right to use his art.

He'd spent months working on that piece, a vibrant canvas filled with impossible colors, impossible shapes. Now, it was just…there. He knew he should be flattered, yet, he wasn't. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides.

The knowledge was like a weight on his shoulders, making him want to lie down and disappear. He felt the blood pounding in his ears. He turned abruptly, needing to move, to escape the suffocating feeling. He rushed out of his apartment, needing to just walk, to just breathe.