Gemotions

The relentless din of the vernissage grated on Alex's nerves. The champagne flutes clinked, voices rose and fell in a meaningless tide, and the flashing camera bulbs were painful. He blinked slowly, a persistent ache behind his eyes. He longed to be anywhere but here, curled up in his own bed, the curtains drawn, the world muted. He took another sip of the bitter coffee, trying to quell the growing urge to simply… stop. He felt a hand on his shoulder. “Your work is breathtaking,” a woman said, her voice lilting. He just nodded, unable to meet her gaze.