Gemotions

The park felt vast and empty. James had spent all morning setting up, stringing fairy lights, arranging the picnic blankets. The sun was starting to dip below the trees, casting long shadows. He kept checking his phone. No new RSVPs.

His throat tightened. He'd poured his heart into this party, aiming for a cozy, intimate vibe, a chance to connect with people. Now, the silence was deafening, the empty blankets a monument to his perceived social failure.

He kicked at a stray pebble. He wanted to scream. He imagined Sarah’s party, the thrum of the music, the press of the crowd. He felt a chilling emptiness. He was alone.