Gemotions

Sarah’s fingers drummed a frantic rhythm against the countertop, each tap a miniature explosion of nervous energy. The clock ticked with an infuriating slowness, each second stretching into an eternity. Her best friend, Emily, was planning a lavish party, a real spectacle, and Sarah’s stomach churned with a peculiar mix of resentment and dread. She’d envisioned something small, intimate, a backyard barbecue, but now... now the pressure felt crushing.

She glared at the phone, the screen reflecting her own strained expression. Emily had texted earlier, a cheerful message about the caterer. Sarah hadn’t responded. The thought of feigning excitement, of congratulating Emily on her grand plans, was almost physically painful.

The doorbell chimed, a sharp, unwelcome sound. She flinched, her shoulders jumping. It was probably her mother with some last-minute party supplies. A headache bloomed behind her eyes, a dull, throbbing ache that mirrored the anxiety twisting in her gut. She took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure before answering.