Gemotions

The flashing lights of the arcade, normally a source of joy, now seemed aggressive. Jessica leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, as she watched the other patrons. Her own party was across town.

She scanned the room, studying each person, their movements, their expressions. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being exposed, vulnerable. Her palms were clammy, and she wiped them on her jeans.

Her phone buzzed, a text message from her friend, Maria. Same day. "Having fun yet?" the text read. Jessica felt a surge of unease. She replied, "Yeah, great!" but her response was a lie.