Gemotions

The party invitations, neatly arranged on the table, seemed to taunt her. Her own, elegantly crafted with calligraphic flourishes, and now, another, cruder one, for a party on the same day. She felt a tightening in her chest, a physical reaction to the news.

She pushed her chair back from the table with a loud scrape, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent room. All the effort, the planning, the anticipation – all now jeopardized. The beautifully wrapped presents she'd bought, the carefully prepared speech – all might now be pointless.

She started pacing, her steps quick and agitated, her hands clenched into fists. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She picked up her phone, ready to send an angry message, then put it down.