Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with chatter, but all Clara heard was the roaring in her ears. Across the small table sat her supposed ally, cheerfully explaining their identical research findings. They were so *proud*. A sharp, stinging sensation bloomed in her chest.

She forced a smile, a grimace that felt alien on her face. Her throat constricted. She took a sip of her coffee, the lukewarm liquid doing nothing to soothe her inner turmoil.

"Well," she said, her voice sounding thin and brittle, "isn't that... something?" She leaned back, as if physically retreating from the conversation. The air around her suddenly felt thick and suffocating.