Gemotions

The air in the reception hall felt thick, heavy, like a suffocating blanket. He could feel the stares, the whispers, even though he knew most of the guests were preoccupied with their own conversations. He picked at the food on his plate, unable to find an appetite. He felt a heavy weight in his chest.

He saw her across the room, talking to some other guests. It had been nearly a year, but the sight of her still evoked a complex cascade of emotions. He felt a strong desire to vanish, to disappear into the crowded room and become invisible.

He focused on the patterns in the tablecloth, trying to distract himself from the dull throb in his head, a constant reminder of his current disposition. He wished he could simply evaporate.