Gemotions

A nervous flutter tickled Leo’s stomach as he walked towards the podium. He'd rehearsed this speech a dozen times, but now, faced with the beaming faces of his parents' colleagues and friends, the words seemed to vanish. He tapped the microphone tentatively, a giggle escaping before he could stop it.

He glanced at his mother, resplendent in a bright yellow dress, and felt his nervousness melt away. His chest felt so full, like he could burst. He could do this. He was going to nail it.

He launched into a story about his dad teaching him to ride a bike, vividly describing the scraped knees and the triumphant feeling of finally mastering the two wheels. His voice boomed with the laughter. He gestured widely, nearly knocking over a vase of flowers. The room was his. He knew it.