Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the bleakness in Maya's stomach. Liam, her best friend since kindergarten, had just announced his plans for a huge bash, a rock-and-roll themed extravaganza. Maya had, in a burst of enthusiasm, already sent out invites for her quiet garden party. Now, she felt a pang of something akin to guilt as she imagined the disappointment etched on her guests' faces when they realized they had to choose.

She re-read the text from Liam, his excitement practically buzzing off the screen. "Gonna be EPIC! You in, May? Bring everyone!" His words seemed to hang in the air, heavy with a kind of oblivious joy.

Maya knew she should probably cancel hers, but the thought of disappointing the people who'd already agreed to come, the elderly neighbours, her shy cousin... it made her throat tighten. Instead, she messaged Liam back, a shaky, "Sounds amazing, Li! Enjoy." She immediately felt the sting of her own words, and the small lie they contained.