Gemotions

"This isn't how it was supposed to be," whispered Chloe to herself. The apartment felt too quiet, the decorations too cheerful. It was her birthday, but the planned event, once a source of excitement, now felt like a chore. Her friend, Jessica, was throwing a masquerade ball. Chloe's small dinner party felt small in comparison.

She looked at her reflection, the cheerful expression she was trying to maintain failing. She felt a knot forming in her stomach. She turned away from the mirror.

She picked at the food she had prepared, the flavors seeming muted. She felt a profound sense of isolation, even within her own home. She had to pretend to be happy, when she felt completely the opposite.