Gemotions

"Oh, for crying out loud," muttered Emily, tossing the brightly colored invitation onto the already overflowing junk drawer. The vibrant pink and gold felt like a personal affront. She kicked a stray sock across the bedroom floor. Her reflection in the mirror showed a woman she barely recognized – the same face, but the spark, the energy, was long gone.

She slumped onto the bed, the mattress sinking beneath her weight. The thought of this reunion felt like a dreary obligation. She imagined the forced smiles, the awkward small talk, the inevitable comparisons. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. The room felt stifling, the walls closing in. She wished for something, anything, to shake her loose from this oppressive feeling.

She stared at the ceiling, tracing the cracks with her eyes. The reunion. She picked up her phone, opened her contact app, and absent-mindedly scrolled through her contacts.