Gemotions

The invitation sat on Amelia's fridge, a cheerful splash of primary colors, promising bouncy castles and a petting zoo. Next to it, taped with a slightly crooked piece of masking tape, was another, more elegant, card with gold lettering. "Cocktails and Canapés," it read. Two birthdays. Same day. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach, heavy and unwelcome.

She stared at the calendar, her gaze flicking between the two cards. Her best friend, Sarah, hosting a kid-friendly extravaganza. Another friend, Chloe, throwing a sophisticated, adults-only soirée. How was this possible?

Amelia chewed on her lip, a nervous habit she'd thought she'd outgrown. She ran a hand through her hair, a gesture that did little to tame the tangles. The invitations were a cruel joke, weren't they? Two people she cared about, demanding her presence on the exact same afternoon.