Gemotions

He stared at the invitation, the embossed lettering seeming to mock him. Michael sighed, feeling the familiar pull of anxiety tighten his chest. He always leaned on his older brother to help him with everything, especially social settings. The thought of attending the reunion without his brother's reassuring presence was enough to paralyze him.

He picked up his phone, then quickly put it down. He wouldn't call. He couldn't. He had to try, to prove something. But the task seemed impossibly large.

A wave of dizziness washed over him. The party felt like an impossible summit, and he was stranded at the base camp.