Gemotions

He had the gall to suggest the park. The *park*! As if the chipped paint and peeling bench weren't bad enough, imagine having to see him against a backdrop of playing children and laughing couples. Mark took a deep breath, the fresh air doing little to soothe his inner turmoil. He pulled his jacket tighter around him, shielding himself from the mild evening chill.

His online friend, Sarah, had always been so… positive. Enthusiastic. Now, here she was, bounding towards him, a bright smile plastered across her face, a balloon clutched in her hand. It was sickening.

“Mark! You made it!” Her voice was too loud, too bright. He barely nodded in response, focusing his attention on a particularly stubborn weed growing out of the cracks in the pavement.