Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Leo’s back as Chloe delivered the news. Her voice, usually so melodic, sounded muffled, distant. He fumbled with his soda can, the aluminum crinkling under his suddenly clumsy fingers. He kept staring at the tiny condensation droplets forming on the side. He felt the air thicken in his lungs, making it difficult to pull in a full breath.

“But… but what about the band?” he finally choked out, his voice a raspy whisper. The thought of losing Chloe, the band’s lead singer, the heart of everything they were building, sent a jolt of pure dread through him. The room began to spin. He needed to sit down, to anchor himself. He gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white, as the world threatened to tilt on its axis.