Gemotions

The moment the emcee called his name, his legs threatened to buckle. He walked to the podium, each step a monumental effort. He was acutely aware of the faces staring up at him. The speech he had spent days composing suddenly felt inadequate, the words flat and meaningless.

His vision blurred slightly. He fumbled with the papers in his hand, his fingers clumsy and uncooperative. He felt a strong desire to flee, to escape the spotlight. He could barely hear his own voice as he began to speak, the words tumbling out in a rush.