Gemotions

"Seriously?" Chloe’s voice was laced with a tone that could cut diamonds. She stared at the text message on her phone screen. "OMG so sorry, can't make your pottery painting class, gotta go to Zara's thing." Her own carefully orchestrated escape-room birthday celebration now felt like a joke.

She tapped furiously on her phone, typing a sharp reply and then deleting it. She paced the length of her tiny apartment, the tiny space seeming to shrink around her. The air felt thick, heavy. She huffed, letting it out with a burst of air.

She stopped in front of the mirror, studying her reflection. The carefully applied makeup, the perfectly styled hair… all seemed somehow… excessive. She quickly turned away, going to the kitchen. "I am going to get a snack," she declared to no one in particular.