Gemotions

The silence in the music room was deafening. Alex carefully folded up his sheet music, the edges of the paper crinkling in his trembling fingers. The orchestra tryouts had ended, and the conductor had just finished announcing the selections. His cello, usually a source of comfort, now sat in the corner, a silent accusation.

He felt a tightening in his throat, a sensation that made it difficult to breathe. He wanted to speak, to ask, to understand. But the words wouldn't come. His eyes began to well.

He carefully closed the cello case.