Gemotions

From her vantage point, staring out the window, Sarah noted the sheer lack of imagination in the party decorations. Balloons in predictable colors, streamers that drooped in all the wrong places. The band's music, a generic rendition of a pop song, was doing nothing to lift her mood.

She walked towards the stage. She imagined it would be better if the microphone would just malfunction so she could be silent, but she knew that wouldn't happen. She plastered on a fake smile, the corners of her mouth twitching.

Her mother clapped, her eyes shining with anticipation. Sarah cleared her throat, feeling the words sticking to her teeth.