Gemotions

The ocean breeze, usually refreshing, felt like a cold slap against Clara’s face. She stood on the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore, and listening to another woman, Olivia, describe her weekend away with the same person Clara was seeing. The vastness of the sea offered no solace; the horizon seemed to blur into a single, gray line.

Clara wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to ward off a chill. Her jaw ached from the effort of maintaining a pleasant expression. The cries of the seagulls felt like nails on a chalkboard.

She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. She wanted it all to stop. Instead, she turned and walked, away from the water.