Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside Maya. The calendar page screamed out the date: Leo's birthday. And, of course, the date also marked the celebration of Maya’s birthday. She considered staying in bed, hiding beneath the covers, letting the world spin on without her.

Her phone buzzed with a text from her friend, Chloe: "Can't wait to see you at the party tonight!" Maya stared at the message, the words blurring. Her fingers felt heavy as she typed a reply. The thought of feigning enthusiasm felt exhausting, a task too complex to undertake.

She had baked a cake earlier, a pathetic attempt to lift herself. The kitchen now bore testament to her half-hearted efforts. She ate a small piece and abandoned the rest. The sugar didn’t help. The prospect of interacting with other people felt impossible.