Gemotions

The knot in Chloe’s stomach tightened with every tap of the notification bell. It was supposed to be *her* day. A brunch, a spa day, a quiet evening with the people she loved most. But now, it seemed, everyone was going to Emily’s. "Mega party alert!" the group chat screamed.

She stared at the perfectly arranged tables, the colorful balloons, the thoughtful little gifts she had prepared. All felt wrong, staged, hollow. She felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest.

Chloe bit her lip, blinking back tears. She desperately wanted to call Emily and ask her, “Why?” But the words felt too fragile, the question too vulnerable. Instead, she wandered into the kitchen, reaching for a forgotten box of cookies.