Gemotions

The pretzel crumbs felt gritty between Amelia's teeth. Another delay announcement. Her stomach clenched. A low, unpleasant hum vibrated in her chest, mirroring the droning PA system. This was the third time, the third time the airline had pushed back her departure. She tapped a fingernail repeatedly against the window, watching the ground crew load baggage with glacial slowness. He’d be so disappointed. Her brother’s graduation.

She pulled out her phone and composed a text, then deleted it. Another. Then deleted that too. She hated all of them. The captain, the gate agent, the entire airline. She could feel the heat prickling at the back of her neck, a familiar burn. She pictured her brother, already on stage, his face radiant with accomplishment. It intensified the familiar irritation. She wanted to smash something.