Gemotions

The clock on the microwave ticked with excruciating slowness. Sarah watched it, unblinking. It felt like her insides were made of molasses, everything moving in slow motion. The party invites, carefully crafted, sat on the counter, untouched. Liam’s party, on the other hand, was already a roaring success, judging by the constant stream of social media updates.

She’d envisioned a cozy gathering, a low-key affair with close friends. Now, the thought of even a handful of people felt overwhelming. She felt a deep, profound disconnect from the world around her, a sense of being adrift in a vast, empty ocean.

She picked at the corner of a sticky note, shredding it into tiny pieces. The party was supposed to start in a few hours. A knot tightened in her stomach. She turned away from the counter, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders.