Gemotions

The day had a muted quality, colors dimmed, sounds muffled. She woke feeling as if she had not slept. She got a text from her friend, Chloe. Chloe had "launched her own PR firm." Chloe wanted to meet at her new "office."

The office was a small apartment, the furniture obviously borrowed. Chloe seemed tense, her words a carefully constructed performance. The whole scene felt flimsy, built on a foundation of sand. She found herself staring at the floor, the feeling of emptiness growing.

She attempted a smile, but it felt wooden. "Congratulations," she said, the words barely escaping her lips. The lie hung heavy in the air. Leaving, she felt a profound sense of sadness.