Gemotions

The dinner party was a disaster. Sarah sat at the table, picking at the food, the vibrant chatter of her classmates a distant, annoying buzz. Her essay, the centerpiece of the evening, was being praised. She felt a need to be somewhere else.

The air in the room felt stuffy, the lights too bright. She listened to the compliments, each one a tiny stab. Each person seemed so genuine.

"You captured the essence of the college experience," someone said, raising a glass.

She managed a weak smile, lifting her own glass of water. It tasted of nothing. She excused herself, retreating to the balcony.

The city lights twinkled in the distance, a dazzling display that failed to soothe the unease twisting in her gut. She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the feeling. It was no use.