Gemotions

The invitation sat on her desk, a stark white rectangle amongst the clutter of bills and to-do lists. Emily's gaze lingered on it, and she felt a small pull in her chest. She found herself dwelling on a time of easy friendships and carefree summer days.

She turned to a photo album, its cover faded and worn. Inside, the faces of her friends smiled back at her, frozen in time. A sudden sadness settled over her as she studied the picture. She remembered the secret crushes, the shared secrets, the feeling of invincibility. It all felt like a dream now.

She reached for a pen, deciding to send a message to a former friend she hadn't spoken to in years. The task felt difficult; a little scary. The pen, however, kept writing.