Gemotions

He stood backstage at the festival, clutching a bottle of water. They told him he’d get the chance to open for the headliner. Until they told him someone else would open, and that someone was currently on stage. The sound of his own song, familiar yet utterly alien, washed over him.

His palms were slick. The crowd was loving it, cheering and singing along to the chorus. He closed his eyes, then opened them.

He went to the exit, his shoes scuffing the concrete. He didn't bother to watch the rest of the show.