Gemotions

The room was too bright, the music too loud. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision. The room felt like it was closing in. Her carefully crafted speech, the words she'd rehearsed a hundred times, were suddenly lost to her. It was a blank void. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, like someone had lit a fire. She squeezed her eyes shut, took a deep, shuddering breath, and tried to remember her opening line. Her mouth felt dry, her tongue thick and clumsy. The room was a kaleidoscope of faces, all expectant.