Gemotions

The ballroom seemed enormous, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and unspoken expectations. Sarah surveyed the scene. Her mother, radiant in a new dress, was hugging someone with a laugh. She had always been the one to get the attention. And now, this party, this perfect ending to her career, was another instance of her mother stealing the show.

Sarah took a deep breath, trying to calm the sudden prickle of heat behind her eyelids. She focused on the microphone. It was sleek and modern, a stark contrast to the old-fashioned, sentimental speech she knew she was supposed to give.

She began, the words sounding hollow to her ears. Each syllable felt like a burden. She wanted to be anywhere but here. The polite applause seemed to echo her own internal ache.