Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted through the apartment. Sarah hummed a jaunty tune, carefully arranging the brightly colored balloons she'd just purchased. Her heart skipped a beat as she imagined the faces of her friends, their laughter echoing through the small space. A warm flush spread across her cheeks; tonight was going to be wonderful. She glanced at the clock; any minute now, the doorbell would ring.

A text message pinged. She grabbed her phone, her fingers already anticipating the message she would receive from Mark. It was from Ben. "Party's off, mate. Something came up." The words hit her like a physical blow. The balloons seemed to deflate before her eyes.

She sank into a chair, the balloons still clutched in her hand. The sweet scent of the cookies now felt cloying. A small, involuntary sound escaped her lips.