Gemotions

Sarah tapped her foot beneath the table, the rhythmic drumming a counterpoint to the celebratory music. Her palms were slick with sweat, and she surreptitiously wiped them on her sequined skirt. The room felt stifling, the air thick with unspoken expectations. She’d spent weeks agonizing over this speech.

She kept mentally replaying the opening line, each time finding it inadequate, stilted. The thought of all the relatives, their knowing glances, their silent assessments, made her want to disappear. Her mother, oblivious and happy, offered her a supportive smile. It was the last thing Sarah wanted to see.

When her name was called, she nearly choked. She walked towards the podium with leaden feet, her smile frozen, her voice shaky. She knew they were all thinking she'd botch it.