Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the bar cast long shadows across the street. David watched as Leo recounted the night of the concert, his voice animated and full of passion.

"You were amazing on stage," Leo said, slapping David on the back.

David's stomach twisted. He remembered the deafening roar of the crowd, the lights, the pressure. He remembered the feeling of being exposed, a feeling of being hunted.

Leo rambled on, praising the song they wrote, the applause, the shared accomplishment.

David could not match his friend's recollections. He thought of the crushing weight of expectation, the feeling of being on display, and the panic that bubbled inside. He shifted in his seat, wanting to vanish. The music, which had always been his escape, now made him want to bolt from the bar.