Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the departure lounge seemed to buzz with a discordant energy. Amelia drummed her fingers on the armrest, her nails clicking a frantic rhythm against the plastic. The delay was announced again, this time with a vague explanation about weather. She stared at the window, the rain-streaked glass reflecting her own pale face.

She felt a strange disconnect, as though her body was operating on autopilot. She stood up, then sat back down, picking at a loose thread on her jeans. The constant hubbub of the airport pressed in on her, a symphony of meaningless noise. She needed to focus, to get herself grounded.

She pictured the wedding, her best friend's big day. She was supposed to give the maid of honor speech. She closed her eyes, trying to remember the words she had prepared, but they were gone. The speech, the friend, the wedding—everything felt distant, unreal. She buried her face in her hands, a deep sigh escaping her.