Gemotions

The brightly colored invitation sat on the kitchen counter, a splash of cheerful indifference amongst the clutter. The invitation's cheer felt like a slap in the face to Clara. Her breaths came in short gasps.

She remembered the relentless, mocking whispers of the popular girls. The feeling of not belonging was like a phantom limb pain, a constant ache. She didn't want to see them. She couldn't see them.

She wrapped her arms around herself, as if to protect herself from an unseen enemy. Her heart was pounding. She felt the urge to go for a run, just to make it stop.