Gemotions

"A speech? Really?" Emily had blurted out when her mother had casually mentioned it weeks ago. The idea had lodged itself in her mind, a persistent worry. She preferred the role of observer, the quiet listener, the one who blended seamlessly into the background.

She sought her older brother's advice. He, confident and self-assured, gave her a pep talk. "It's easy, Em! Just be yourself." Easy for him. She felt anything *but* herself when put on display.

At the party, she felt a tightness in her chest, a physical manifestation of her apprehension. She avoided the buffet table, the dance floor, and the animated conversations. When she finally approached the microphone, her voice was barely a whisper. She read from a prepared script, her eyes fixed on the paper, longing for the moment when she could escape back to the safety of her quiet corner.