Gemotions

The air in the reception hall felt heavy for John, thick with the scent of perfume and the ghost of their shared memories. He saw Emily across the room, talking animatedly with a group of people. He felt a deep, uncomfortable pressure in his head, a dull ache that resonated with the silence he felt deep inside. He took a long, steady breath, trying to steady his nerves.

He needed to appear normal, to appear unaffected. He took a slow sip of his water, careful to avoid eye contact. He didn’t want to see her, but he knew he couldn’t avoid her. All he wanted was to fade into the background.

Every forced conversation felt like walking through quicksand. The cheerful music seemed to mock him. His smile felt fixed and unnatural. He felt a sudden, desperate urge to escape, to be anywhere but there. The thought of staying and trying to be civil filled him with dread.