Gemotions

The sunlight was too bright, the birdsong too cheerful, the air too… everything. It all grated on Liam's nerves. Chloe’s extravagant pool party beckoned; a festival of noise and manufactured fun, he assumed. Daniel's "thought-provoking" dinner party with its endless discussions of the latest novel, also seemed to lack the charm he required.

He was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by half-finished projects – a sketch he'd abandoned, a disassembled model airplane, a crossword puzzle left unfinished. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture conveying a profound frustration.

He wanted something, he just didn't know what. He felt a nagging emptiness, a void that yawned within him. He wanted to feel some sense of purpose, of engagement, but nothing seemed to ignite a spark.