Gemotions

The room seemed to tilt as she walked to the podium. The noise of the party receded into a dull roar, replaced by the frantic beating of her own heart. She adjusted the microphone, her fingers clumsy and fumbling. She’d practiced her speech a hundred times, but now, the words seemed to have abandoned her.

She looked at her father, his eyes twinkling with pride. She wanted to do him proud, but she couldn't seem to get the words right. She felt a burning sensation in her throat and found herself swallowing repeatedly to moisten it. Her voice wavered, betraying the turmoil inside.

Her mother’s gaze felt like a silent pressure. She forced a smile and stumbled through a few platitudes. She could feel her face flush with embarrassment and the desire to simply disappear. The whole experience felt like a personal failure.