Gemotions

Maya fiddled with the strap of her guitar case, trying to appear nonchalant. But her stomach was doing acrobatics. Tonight, the opening act at the local music festival was playing *The Whispering Pines*, her anthem of lost love and found hope. She'd submitted it to a talent contest months ago, never expecting anything to come of it.

She felt a flush creep up her neck as the band took the stage. The lead singer, a guy with a charismatic smile, launched into the familiar intro. Maya gasped, her breath catching in her throat. She found herself swaying slightly to the rhythm, a silly grin plastered on her face.

Every note, every lyric, felt like a validation, a soaring triumph. She felt a lightness, as if she could float right off her feet. She clapped her hands, her fingers feeling numb. This was it. Someone, finally, understood.