Gemotions

She burst through the bakery doors, the bell above chiming a cheerful greeting that mirrored her mood. The aroma of freshly baked bread was almost intoxicating as she grinned at the cashier, already envisioning the cake she would pick up later. Her stomach felt like a fluttering butterfly cage, filled with a delightful anticipation.

“Everything’s ready to go!” she chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement. But when the baker, a usually jovial man, gave her a somber look, her enthusiasm began to waver. He gestured towards a sticky note on the counter: “Cancelled. Call Sarah.”

Her smile crumbled. The bakery's warmth suddenly felt stifling. She fumbled for her phone, a knot forming in her stomach as she dialed. The phone rang, and rang, and rang. A sense of deflated air filled her.