Gemotions

The invitation sat on the kitchen counter, pristine and untouched. Sarah stared at it, the colorful balloons and cheerful font mocking her. Her sister, Emily, was throwing a pool party. Sarah’s low-key pottery painting class, scheduled for the exact same afternoon, suddenly felt less like a fun activity and more like a punishment.

She picked at the corner of the envelope, her fingers tracing the smooth paper. A throbbing sensation began behind her eyes. She’d spent weeks carefully organizing the class, choosing the studio, picking out the clay. Emily hadn't even mentioned her party until last night.

The silence of the house pressed in on her. She had envisioned sharing her birthday with her friends, teaching them how to mold their own creations. The class felt more isolated now. A choked sob escaped her, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.