Gemotions

The vibrant, buzzing atmosphere of the concert hall became a muffled roar. Clara’s ears rang. The music, a symphony she’d been anticipating all week, now felt alien and distant. Across the aisle, Daniel, the "renowned concert pianist," was admitting he was actually a piano tuner. A shiver ran down her spine, leaving her teeth chattering. She wanted to shout, to confront him, but her voice seemed to have abandoned her.

She pressed her palms against her cheeks, as if that would somehow contain the storm raging inside. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She felt a burning in her throat, a prelude to a sob she desperately fought to contain. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the world, the music, everything, but the revelation echoed in her mind.