Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the "Lucky Cat" karaoke bar buzzed. Daniel stood across the street, the scent of stale beer and desperation wafting toward him. He knew that song. He hadn’t heard it in a decade.

He'd written it. Late nights, cheap whiskey, heartbreak. He'd poured his soul into those lyrics, sharing them in dingy bars, hoping someone would hear them. Now, it was a karaoke classic, sung by drunks and hopefuls alike. It was playing now.

He walked inside. The singer, a woman with a shaky voice, butchered his verses. Daniel felt a knot unravel in his chest, a strange mix of emotions.

He approached the stage and took the microphone when it was over. “I wrote that song,” he announced to the room, his voice raspy. He knew it was a lie, a performance. He had to say *something.*