Gemotions

He was standing near the bar, chatting with the groom's brother, who I barely knew. I immediately ducked behind a towering floral arrangement, feeling like a child playing hide-and-seek. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat urging me to flee. I peeked around the arrangement, catching a flash of his familiar face. A nervous tremor ran through me.

I gripped my clutch so tightly my knuckles ached. This was supposed to be a fun night. I should be mingling, enjoying the music, celebrating with friends. Instead, I felt like a stranger in my own body, trapped in a performance I wasn't prepared for. I forced a smile, plastered it on like a mask, and took a deep breath.

I spotted him again, moving through the crowd. I suddenly needed to use the restroom. The need was urgent. I made a beeline for the sanctuary of the ladies’ room, hoping to regroup and compose myself before the inevitable collision. The lock clicked into place, offering a moment of solitary reprieve.