Gemotions

The invitation sat on her kitchen counter, a bright, cheerful beacon in the otherwise dim space. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. A sob escaped, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. It wouldn’t do to break down.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through contacts, a frantic search for validation. She needed to talk to someone, anyone. The weight of her solitude pressed down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

She imagined the conversations, the inevitable comparisons, the whispers. She knew how she would look to others, the one who didn't quite make it. She closed her eyes, and a single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek.