Gemotions

The vibrant decorations and the smell of expensive food did nothing to lift Alice's mood. She watched as her mother hugged well-wishers, her face a mask of radiant happiness. Alice felt a profound sense of isolation.

She stood near the bar, nursing a glass of sparkling water, the bubbles mocking her internal state. The thought of the speech she had to give, a tribute to her mother’s career, felt utterly daunting.

She glanced at the stage, where the microphone awaited. She felt a deep reluctance to perform. The words seemed to stick in her throat. She found herself wishing she could simply disappear, melting into the crowd.