Gemotions

The party was in full swing, but David felt a world away. The volume of the music seemed to amplify the silence inside him. He nursed his drink, the ice clinking against the glass a jarring counterpoint to the festive atmosphere. He was supposed to be celebrating, but he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that had been building all day.

He'd seen it online earlier. His essay, the one he'd submitted years ago, was now presented as a shining example for other students. He felt a wave of nausea, like the words themselves were toxic. He scanned the room, suddenly aware of every eye, every judgment, every expectation.

He mumbled an excuse and slipped away from the revelry, seeking refuge on the balcony. The city lights twinkled in the distance, but they offered no comfort. He leaned against the railing, the cool metal pressing against his forehead. He felt a hollowness inside, a gnawing emptiness that he couldn't name.