Gemotions

The invitation sat on the kitchen table, a bright splash of color against the faded linoleum. Amelia picked it up, her fingers tracing the smooth surface, then set it down again. A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She hadn’t left her apartment in days.

She thought of the vibrant, confident girl she had once been, the one who had planned to conquer the world. The image felt so distant, a ghost of a memory. Now, she was just… here.

She wandered over to the sink, splashing cold water on her face. The coolness did little to soothe the tightness in her chest. She glanced at the calendar; the reunion was only weeks away. The thought of facing everyone, of pretending, filled her with dread.