Gemotions

The incessant drone of the delayed flight announcement was a physical assault to Maya. Her fingers tightened around the worn strap of her bag. Her best friend's surprise engagement party was now a dream, a moment she would miss. She'd spent weeks coordinating, secretly flying in from the other side of the country. And now this.

She watched a family board their flight, their laughter a sharp, piercing sound. Maya turned away, the sudden sting in her eyes felt like defeat. The airport's cheerful atmosphere felt synthetic, a manufactured happiness designed to mask the underlying chaos. She kicked a stray water bottle, the plastic clattering across the floor.