Gemotions

The silver locket, engraved with her grandmother’s initials, felt cold in her hand. Her cousin, Clara, was perched on the edge of the bed, her voice a syrupy monotone. “Such a shame, isn’t it? To let it sit unused.”

“It’s beautiful,” I managed, my voice strained. The air around her felt stifling.

Clara, the darling of the family, the one who always got what she wanted, sighed dramatically. “Well, I could really use the money for… renovations.” The way she said “renovations” made me want to throw the locket across the room. I felt myself shaking.

I pictured the locket around Clara's neck, the delicate chain glinting in the light. The thought was unbearable. I needed to get out, to escape the sickening sweetness that was suffocating me.