Gemotions

The flyers felt heavy in Leo’s trembling hand, each one a tiny weight pulling him down. He’d spent all week meticulously designing them, choosing the font, the color scheme, even the specific glossy paper. Now, staring at the cheerful image of a smiling Leo surrounded by balloons and cake, he wanted to shred them all. Sarah’s party, with its promise of a live band and open bar, loomed like a hurricane on the horizon. His party, a low-key picnic in the park, felt like a pathetic rain cloud.

He crumpled a flyer, the sound a sharp crack in the otherwise quiet library. His jaw clenched. He’d poured all his savings into this. The caterer, the rented sound system, the ridiculous, life-sized cardboard cutout of himself.

“Everything okay, Leo?” The librarian’s voice was a gentle intrusion. Leo managed a weak smile, shoving the ruined flyer into his backpack. "Fine," he croaked, his voice barely audible. He needed people to *come*. He needed… something. He needed to be *seen*.