Gemotions

Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm accompanying the cheerful chatter of the crowd. Every color in the room, from the shimmering tablecloths to the sparkling balloons, seemed to radiate at an impossible intensity. She felt a lightness in her limbs, as though gravity had loosened its grip.

She made her way to the stage, the walk a pleasant journey on a path of sunshine. The microphone stood before her like a trusted friend. Her dad, her hero, sat in the front row, his eyes twinkling with pride.

"Dad," she started, her voice a little breathless, "I always knew you were special..." A laugh bubbled up her throat; it sounded utterly foreign to her, and yet, completely natural. She felt an overwhelming surge of love, pure and unadulterated.