Gemotions

The ballroom seemed to shrink. She stood in the corner of the room, her hand pressed against the cool wall. She could feel her heart hammering against her ribs, a frantic bird struggling to break free.

The speeches had started, and she would be next. She imagined her parents' faces. Their love, their expectations. She loved them too, but she struggled to breathe.

She'd crafted her speech, she'd practiced it for weeks, but the words felt like a noose around her neck. She had to get through this, she had to play her part. But a primal need to escape gnawed at her, a burning desire to just run.