Gemotions

The email sat in her inbox, a cold, impersonal notification. *Moving to New York City. New job opportunity.* Sarah reread it, each word a fresh stab. Her hands felt numb, and the keyboard seemed suddenly foreign beneath her fingertips. She leaned back in her chair, the harsh fluorescent light of her office reflecting in her widened eyes.

She stared out the window at the bustling city below, a stark contrast to the quiet, familiar life she shared with Emily. She pictured the long distance calls, the occasional visits, and the gradual fading of their shared history. She hated it.

Sarah pushed her chair back from the desk, her muscles stiff. She felt a deep, hollow ache in her chest. She needed air, to escape the suffocating weight of this new reality. She knew she'd have to pretend, to smile and congratulate Emily on her achievement, but the thought of it was exhausting.