Gemotions

She smoothed down her dress, the silk cool against her suddenly clammy skin. The stage lights were hot, but Amelia barely noticed. Instead, her focus was fixed on David, her father's colleague, who was standing near the buffet table, refilling his plate.

Her heart fluttered. She'd been practicing her speech all week, but now, faced with the prospect of actually delivering it, her carefully crafted words felt irrelevant. She wanted to say something that would capture his attention, make him… smile at her.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. She began her speech, her voice trembling slightly. Each sentence felt like a monumental effort. Every glance she took at David, sent her heart racing.

Her father coughed, signaling her to continue, and Amelia picked up her pace. She wanted this to be over.