Gemotions

The silk of the dress felt wrong against Clara’s skin, itchy and confining. She kept tugging at the hem, smoothing it down. It was a beautiful dress, a gift from her aunt, perfect for the fancy restaurant she had booked for her birthday dinner. But it felt like a costume. A ridiculous costume.

Across town, she knew, her best friend, Sarah, was hosting a themed party. Costumes, games, a bonfire, the whole shebang. Clara had been invited, of course, but the invitation, delivered with a casual shrug, felt like a judgment.

She caught her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, the carefully applied lipstick suddenly too bright. Her stomach lurched. She thought about cancelling the dinner, but she had already spent the money, made the reservations, and she didn't want to seem... what? Jealous? Petty? She couldn’t quite name the feeling.

She walked into the dining room, her parents were already seated, waiting. She forced a smile.