Gemotions

The room spun. Sarah gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, trying to ground herself. The balloons, the streamers, the "Happy Birthday, Mark!" banner – all meticulously hung, all for nothing. Her best friend, Emily, had just confessed the whole thing was off. Mark had been called away on a sudden business trip.

Sarah’s breath hitched. She felt a wave of icy dread wash over her. Her carefully constructed facade of nonchalance crumbled, and she wanted to disappear. She cleared her throat, trying to force a smile as Emily started to apologize. The words seemed to stick in her throat. Everything, every single detail, was perfect. Now it was all just… wrong.