Gemotions

The band leader’s voice boomed through the practice room, announcing the seating arrangements for the upcoming concert. For years, Chloe had been first chair. Now, she was relegated to a lower section. The music suddenly sounded distant, muffled.

She gripped her instrument case tightly, feeling the cold metal dig into her palms. The triumphant smiles and excited chatter around her seemed to amplify her sense of isolation. The joy on her peers' faces felt foreign, like a language she no longer understood.

She forced herself to meet the eye of a friend, offering a strained, tight-lipped smile. She wanted to disappear. The case felt heavy. She headed toward the door, her shoulders slumping with each step.