Gemotions

"Are you alright, dear?" her mother asked, her voice laced with concern. Amelia had been staring out the window, her jaw clenched, for a good half hour. The rhythmic pounding had started just after noon, and it had thrown her whole day out of kilter.

She forced a smile. "Fine, Mom. Just... a bit warm."

The truth was, the noise had begun to make her irritable. She found herself snapping at her children, her patience frayed to the breaking point. The feeling in her chest was like a tightened spring, wound too tightly.

She poured herself a glass of water, her hand shaking slightly. The world seemed suddenly loud, too bright, too… much. She needed to get away, to find a place of stillness.