Gemotions

The afternoon sun, usually a source of comfort, now felt like a spotlight on Elias. He endured Liam's recounting of fun at Camp Riverbend, a place that held the stench of insecurity and failure for him.

Liam’s easy camaraderie, the way he seemed to effortlessly charm everyone, was a sharp contrast to Elias’s own experiences there. He recalled feeling utterly insignificant, a background character in everyone else’s story.

"You wouldn't believe it," Liam said, chuckling, "I was there that summer too!" The world seemed to tilt.

Elias’s chest tightened, the room growing smaller. He swallowed hard, trying to appear nonchalant. "Oh?" he managed, the word a mere whisper.

He wanted to scream at him to stop talking.