Gemotions

The invitation was on the kitchen table, a stark white rectangle against the cluttered surface. Jenny picked it up, turning it over in her hands. The photograph on the front, of a group of teenagers beaming into the camera, was almost painful to look at.

She walked into the living room, where the afternoon sun streamed through the window. She sat down, pulling her legs up to her chest, and stared out. The world felt different now. Less sharp, perhaps. More complicated.

She remembered the way the air had felt on graduation night, charged with excitement and fear. She thought of her best friend, Amy, who was also receiving the invite. She had not spoken to her in a very long time.