Gemotions

The color drained from her face, leaving her a pale imitation of herself. Chloe’s jaw tightened, her expression hardening into a rigid mask. The news – Amelia’s competing birthday extravaganza – had landed like a physical blow. She felt a tremor run through her, a shudder that began in her toes and ended in the tight knot in her stomach.

She walked over to the window and stared out at the bustling street below, the vibrant colours of the city now muted and distant. The meticulously planned beach bonfire, the invitations already sent, the caterer booked… all threatened. All because Amelia had decided to… what? Upstage her? Ruin her moment?

Her fingers twitched, itching to do *something*, to react. She resisted the urge to scream. Instead, she took a deep, ragged breath and turned away from the window. The battle, she realized, had just begun.