Gemotions

From behind her, the clatter of the busy restaurant suddenly became an obnoxious noise. Liam found himself wanting to cover his ears. He stared at the news story on his phone, the headline screaming the truth he didn't want to accept. His idol, the celebrated novelist, Sarah Croft, had plagiarized his work. A tight knot formed in his stomach. His head began to ache.

He couldn't meet anyone's eyes. He felt a growing sense of shame, as if he, somehow, was to blame. He pushed his plate of food away, the uneaten meal a testament to his lost appetite. He focused on the patterns in the tablecloth, desperate to distract himself from the gnawing pain in his chest.