Gemotions

The room seemed to shrink. Ethan felt as if the walls were closing in, the air thick and heavy. He’d been carefully avoiding the main reception area, preferring to linger near the periphery of the crowd. He was trying his best to look calm, but he could feel the nervous twitch in his left eye.

He saw her then, surrounded by a group of friends. She was smiling, radiant. He felt a jolt of something he couldn't quite name. His stomach lurched. He took a hasty sip of his drink, nearly choking.

He quickly turned away, but it was too late. Their eyes had met.