Gemotions

The room was filled with the smell of perfume and aftershave, a suffocating blend. She found a seat at the back, away from the chatter. Her mother, ever the social butterfly, was making the rounds. She sipped her lukewarm water.

Her sister gave a beautiful speech, full of heartfelt emotions. She felt a strange detachment, watching the scene unfold. When her name was called, she walked to the stage.

"Okay," she said. She read from the speech. The words felt disconnected. The applause seemed to pass through her. She felt nothing. She went back to her seat, wishing to be anywhere else.