Gemotions

A knot tightened in David's throat as he watched Chloe approach, her smile brittle, her eyes darting away from his. He should have known. This was Sarah's wedding. They shared the same friend group. He knew this would happen. He'd even braced himself. And yet, here he was, suddenly feeling the weight of the air pressing down on him.

He forced a smile, a gesture that felt foreign to his face. “Chloe, hey,” he said, his voice sounding flat even to his own ears. Her response was polite, but perfunctory. He picked up another hors d'oeuvre, but found he couldn't bring himself to eat it. The room seemed to shrink, the noise of the party suddenly deafening.

He looked for an escape route, anywhere to go where he could catch his breath. The best man had just grabbed the mic. David knew this meant he had to endure a very long speech. He leaned against the back wall, staring out the window, watching the happy couple from afar.