Gemotions

"This isn't fair," Emily whispered to herself, staring at the competing party invites. Her best friend, Olivia, was hosting a glamorous cocktail party on the same night as her small, intimate potluck. Emily had known Olivia’s anxieties about social standing.

She took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to calm the rising tide of unease. Emily envisioned Olivia, radiant and happy, surrounded by stylish guests. The thought, while a little bit painful, also generated a protective impulse.

Emily went to the kitchen and began prepping her best dish, a complicated lasagna, knowing it was Olivia's favorite. She hoped that if Olivia didn't, she would take a moment to indulge.