Gemotions

The email from Sarah, outlining her elaborate dinner party, was still open on Elena's laptop. Across the room, Leo's text message - "Drinks at my place, come on by!" - blinked. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unable to formulate a response. She kept going back to Sarah's invitation, the formal wording and the carefully curated guest list.

She felt a tightening in her shoulders, a deep ache that radiated through her upper body. She should at least call Leo. It was Leo. Her earliest friend.

Elena took a deep breath, reaching for her phone. The dial tone felt like a judgement. A dull ache began behind her eyes as she heard his voicemail. He probably knew already, the thought flashed through her mind.