Gemotions

Sarah kept fiddling with the pearl necklace at her throat, the small beads clinking softly. The champagne flute trembled in her hand as she tried to focus on the conversation swirling around her. It was all a blur of laughter and congratulations, but she couldn't quite meet anyone's eyes. The podium, with its microphone glinting under the stage lights, seemed to loom larger with every passing minute.

She’d spent the entire afternoon rereading the notes she'd scribbled, her handwriting growing messier with each revision. Her fingers were constantly tapping a nervous rhythm on the tablecloth. The hall, usually a place of celebration, felt stifling, the air thick with an anticipation that she found difficult to bear.

She excused herself from the table, claiming she needed some air. Outside, the cool evening breeze did little to soothe the tightness in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.