Gemotions

The overly enthusiastic ushers, the incessant chatter, the relentless cheerfulness – it all felt like an assault on his senses. Then he saw her.

He felt his jaw clench, his hands ball into fists. He wanted to disappear. He felt like the room was closing in on him.

He excused himself from the conversation he was in, citing a pressing need to use the restroom. He stood in the sterile environment of the bathroom, staring at his reflection, the image of her, smiling and laughing with someone else, burned in his mind. He splashed cold water on his face, hoping to wash away the feeling of suffocation. It didn't help.