Gemotions

She slumped onto the park bench, the notification on her phone mocking her with its bluntness. “Cancelled.” The word swam before her eyes, blurring with the tears she refused to let fall. She clutched the crumpled invitation in her hand, the expensive paper now feeling like an insult.

The vibrant colours of the autumn leaves seemed dull, the usual beauty of the park obscured. A chill wind whipped around her, nipping at her exposed skin, making her shiver.

She traced circles on the wooden bench, her fingers tracing the worn grain. The laughter and chatter of children playing nearby grated on her nerves, each joyful sound a painful reminder of what wouldn’t be.