Gemotions

The phone felt heavy, hot. He’d intended to share his opinion of his best friend’s girlfriend with his other friends. Instead, the message, full of dry observations about the woman’s personality, had arrived in his friend’s inbox. His chest felt constricted.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable anger. He smashed the phone down on the table, as if it were to blame. His friend would be furious, of course. He would have to act like it was a mistake.

He started pacing, the familiar rhythm doing little to soothe his nerves. The silence was deafening, amplified by his heartbeat.