Gemotions

Her voice felt thin, almost a whisper as she talked on the phone. "Yes, everything's fine," Chloe said, forcing a cheerful tone. "Can't wait." But her hands were trembling as she hung up. The words felt hollow, a flimsy façade. Her party at the karaoke bar felt… planned.

Her friend, Emily, was having a spontaneous picnic in the park. Free, easy, fun. Chloe felt a pang of something sharp in her chest. She looked at the carefully selected decorations, the themed cocktails she'd spent hours researching.

She pulled her hair back from her face, suddenly feeling suffocated. She imagined Emily, laughing, carefree, under the summer sky. She wanted to be there. More than anything.