Gemotions

The invitation felt heavy in Maya’s hand, a glossy rectangle of cheerful fonts promising “sun, surf, and seventeen!” – Liam’s birthday bash. Her own, also on Saturday, was shaping up to be… smaller. Significantly smaller. She chewed on her thumbnail, a habit she'd been trying to break for months. The vibrant colors of Liam's invitation seemed to mock the muted tones of her own carefully crafted invites.

A sudden, sharp headache throbbed behind her eyes. She needed air. Abandoning her half-finished drawing, Maya walked towards the window and opened it wide, letting the cool breeze ruffle her hair. The scent of freshly cut grass from her backyard mixed with the distant aroma of the neighbor's barbecue, a smell that usually brought her pleasure. Today, it just amplified the churning in her stomach.

She considered texting Liam, maybe a casual "Can't wait for Saturday!". But the words felt cloying, a lie she couldn't stomach. Instead, she closed the window, retreated to her room, and slumped onto her bed, the invitation clutched tightly in her fist.