Gemotions

The concert hall was opulent, filled with chatter and anticipation. Ava was supposed to be here, in the audience, enjoying the show. But then, as the opening act began, the first few notes of “Starry Night,” her song, filled the room. This was wrong.

Her throat constricted. She gripped the program so hard she thought it would rip. A different singer, a younger one, stood on stage, radiating confidence. The lights, the sound, the whole production was so far removed from her tiny bedroom recordings.

She felt a hot flush creep up her neck. Her carefully chosen outfit suddenly felt constricting. She bolted, shoving past startled concert-goers and into the crisp night air.