Gemotions

The party was in full swing, the music loud, the laughter boisterous. Amelia watched from across the room as David, her boyfriend, navigated a conversation with her cousin, Sophia. Sophia, who was known for her quick wit and impeccable French. David, normally reserved, was animated, his gestures grand, his French surprisingly fluent.

Amelia’s fingers tightened around her glass, the crystal digging into her palm. She felt a chill, despite the warm room. She turned away, suddenly uninterested in the merriment, and found herself wandering towards the patio doors, seeking the cool night air. Her own French was passable, adequate, and she felt a sense of…exclusion.