Gemotions

The concert hall buzzed with an energy that felt poisonous to Clara. She hated crowds, but she had promised. Her skin prickled, and her breath came in shallow, rapid gasps. The loud music vibrated through her, a physical manifestation of her mounting unease. The low thrum of the bass was making her dizzy.

A man, standing near the back, was doing the same thing as her, tapping his foot and avoiding eye contact. He flinched at a sudden spotlight and stumbled back. He looked like he was about to bolt.

“Too much, huh?” she heard him mutter under his breath. He looked around with a nervous urgency.

“Yeah,” she answered. "Definitely." She found herself clenching and unclenching her fists.