Gemotions

"Oh, it's just a silly get-together," she murmured to her reflection, but her voice cracked. Sarah ripped open the envelope, a sharp inhale escaping her lips as she read the contents. The carefully designed invitation seemed to mock her, a reminder of a past that felt both distant and overwhelmingly present.

Her hands shook as she placed it on the kitchen counter, next to the overflowing mail. The weight of expectations pressed down on her, a burden she couldn't seem to shed. She spent the rest of the day in a haze, her mind replaying old anxieties.

She found herself avoiding eye contact with people on the street, convinced they were all judging her. She skipped her usual workout, the energy required to even *think* about exercise feeling too draining. The evening brought no respite; a restless night was punctuated by vivid, unpleasant dreams.