Gemotions

The building association meeting was a disaster. Clara watched, utterly silent, as the other tenants haggled with the new board. They argued about the paint colors, the landscaping, the gym, but she just wanted to disappear.

She'd been out of work for months, and now she felt like she was a failure. She had nothing to offer. The others had careers, nice cars. She had a mountain of student loans and a tiny apartment she was terrified of losing.

Her chest constricted as the new board members introduced themselves. She made herself small. She felt small. When the meeting ended, she slipped out unnoticed.