Gemotions

He had been enjoying himself, or at least pretending to. Then he saw her. Across the crowded hall, amidst the flashing lights and joyful chatter, she stood, radiant. It was like a physical blow. The air rushed from his lungs.

The carefully constructed wall he had built around his emotions began to crumble. His smile faltered, replaced by a strained expression. He found himself focusing on the pattern of the tablecloth, suddenly and intensely interested in the woven threads.

He felt a deep and pervasive sense of isolation. The noise of the party receded, replaced by the deafening silence of his own thoughts. He just wanted it to be over.