Gemotions

The invitation sat on Emily's desk, a small white beacon in the chaos. Her hands felt clumsy, awkward. She ran her fingers through her hair, a nervous gesture she hadn't realized she still practiced.

She felt a tightening in her chest, a physical manifestation of her concern. She reread the words, the familiar names of people she hadn't thought about in years, and felt a wave of disorientation.

Later, she found herself avoiding phone calls and emails. The world felt too much, the very thought of the reunion a heavy burden. She felt like she wanted to hide.