Gemotions

The vibrant, chaotic energy of the concert hall felt alien to him. He’d spotted Olivia across the crowded room, her laughter echoing above the music. He needed to talk to her.

"Olivia?" he shouted over the din, fighting to be heard. "It's… it's Ben. We used to go to all the school dances together."

Olivia turned, her expression unreadable. She tilted her head, trying to hear him. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice straining. "I can't hear you." Then, closer, she said, "And I'm afraid I don't know you."

He felt a strange, detached sensation, as though he were watching himself from a distance. The music became a deafening cacophony.

The lights of the stage blurred, her face fading from view.