Gemotions

"Remember how brave we were?" Maya asked, a lilt in her voice. She was talking about their school play, the one where they'd both had tiny roles. For Chloe, the memory was a mortifying experience filled with missed cues and a crippling fear of the audience. She'd wanted to disappear, melt into the stage floor.

She picked at the corner of the tablecloth, her fingers tracing the faded pattern. Maya was recounting the performance with obvious pride, focusing on the applause and the feeling of accomplishment. Chloe focused on the knot forming in her stomach.