Gemotions

The bustling marketplace, usually a source of energy for Clara, felt overwhelming. She clutched the biography the publisher had sent, "Clara: The Soloist," a book detailing her life as a freelance violinist. The book talked of her solo performances, the empty concert halls, and the long hours spent practicing.

She watched a family laughing at a food stall. The sound of their joy grated on her nerves. She had always preferred her own company. Now, the book exposed her life to the world. She wondered how much the author knew of the true extent of her life.

She had always been a solitary figure. The book painted her as such, but the reality was far more nuanced. Clara felt a strange, stinging sensation behind her eyes. She wanted to scream.