Gemotions

He stared at the invitation, the glossy photo of smiling faces mocking him. Michael couldn't shake the feeling of dread that washed over him. He felt his hands begin to sweat. He didn't want to revisit the ghosts of his past.

He thought of the others, all of them. He thought of how hard it all had probably been for them, too. The fear, the loneliness, the hidden struggles. He imagined some were doing well, some were struggling, and some were gone. He found it hard to breathe.

He slowly picked up the envelope and put it in his pocket. It would be a long night, he knew.