Gemotions

"Oh, look, it's him," whispered Clara’s friend, her voice a cruel whisper that sliced through the celebratory atmosphere. Clara’s breath caught in her throat. Her world narrowed. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a physical manifestation of the flood of emotions threatening to erupt.

She fumbled with her clutch, her fingers clumsy and useless. Every memory, every shared joke, every argument, slammed into her at once. She wanted to scream, to run.

She abruptly rose, nearly knocking over her chair. Her face felt hot, flushed. She couldn’t stay. She wouldn't. Excuses poured out of her mouth, a jumbled mess of words that barely made sense, as she bolted toward the exit, the happy music of the wedding following her.