Gemotions

The arcade buzzed with noise and flashing lights. He felt a throbbing headache develop behind his eyes. He had agreed to meet her here, but his commitment was slipping through his fingers like sand. He’d never thought it would come to this. He had planned to make a swift exit at the first opportunity.

He kept scanning the crowd, each unfamiliar face triggering a fresh wave of apprehension. He was a complete mess. He felt hot and flushed, and his palms were slick with sweat. The high-pitched electronic sounds of the games grated on his nerves.

He felt like a stranger trapped in a brightly lit maze. Every laugh, every glance, every moment of anticipation was a stab of unease. He wanted to vanish.