Gemotions

He stared at the two invitations. One promised a boisterous football viewing party; his friend Mark's doing. The other, a low-key book club gathering hosted by his colleague, Emily. He felt a pressure building behind his eyes.

He imagined the boisterous cheers, the physical jostling, the potential for drunken arguments. His breath shortened, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He always felt the need to shrink.

The thought of Emily's party, with its focus on intellectual discussion and social expectations, was equally daunting. He didn't have the words to say the things he wanted to say. He felt trapped, an animal caught in a snare.