Gemotions

"A themed yacht party!" Maya spat the words out. The email from Sarah, her best friend, stared back at her. Her own plans, an intimate cocktail-making class followed by a sophisticated dinner, now seemed… inadequate.

Maya reread the words, the casual announcement making her chest ache. She had meticulously planned a perfect birthday celebration to her taste, wanting something fun for everyone. She felt a growing pressure inside her skull.

She abruptly stood from her desk, pacing around the living room. Sarah knew how much Maya wanted a special day. Was it a deliberate attempt to upstage her? The thought, like a bitter pill, made her entire body feel heavy.