Gemotions

The restaurant was too bright, the music too loud. Across the table, Ethan was describing their college graduation ceremony. He spoke of triumph and exhilaration. Sarah listened as he talked about the good times.

He'd made a speech, the one he had wanted, and then everything had seemed easy. She, on the other hand, remembered the crushing disappointment of not being chosen as a speaker, the feeling of being invisible amongst the crowd.

She picked at her food, a small piece of salmon, barely touching it. She focused on the intricate patterns of the tablecloth, trying to distract herself. Every word Ethan spoke felt like a subtle jab. "That's nice," she replied, her voice flat. He didn't notice, still basking in his recollections. The joy felt as alien as the high ceilings of the restaurant.