Gemotions

The cheerful chatter in the coffee shop felt like a mocking echo in Clara’s ears. She watched Liam from her table, a knot forming in her throat. He was laughing, animatedly speaking to a stranger in fluent Mandarin. The words felt like tiny needles pricking at her skin.

She’d always been possessive of her heritage, protective of the nuances of her language. The feeling of exclusion was unexpectedly brutal. She focused on her untouched latte, the warmth doing nothing to calm the chill that had settled over her.

Clara felt a sudden, inexplicable anger. The world tilted and she closed her eyes, trying to make the unease stop.