Gemotions

The DJ blasted music, but the energy in the room was flat. Jake glanced at his phone again. No new texts, no apologies. His video game release party was a dud. He’d spent months coding, marketing, and the same day, his best friend, Alex, had scheduled a gaming marathon.

Jake fiddled with his watch, the constant tick-tock a reminder of the ticking clock, of time wasted. The expensive laser show he'd hired now seemed like a waste. The party's decorations mocked him.

He excused himself, making a beeline for the bathroom. He avoided the gaze of his few guests, their disappointed faces a mirror of his own. He locked the door behind him and stared at himself in the mirror, wanting to disappear.