Gemotions

The moment the date was set, a feeling of unease coiled in Mark's gut. The thought of standing up in front of everyone, of being the center of attention, was a source of torment. He found himself avoiding social gatherings, inventing excuses to stay home.

He paced the confines of his living room, muttering phrases under his breath, practicing hand gestures in front of the window. Each attempt felt forced, unnatural. He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. He couldn’t shake the sensation that he was going to mess it up.

He decided to focus on something concrete, practical. He spent hours researching the proper pronunciation of his father's favorite authors, hoping that at least this aspect would be perfect.