Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Liam’s forehead as he stared at the rejection email. Another one. His phone buzzed; another reminder of a bill due. His stomach churned. He felt trapped, pinned beneath the weight of his failing freelance career.

“Rough day?” Sarah asked, her voice light and airy. She was always so upbeat. Liam envied her ease. He envied everything about her.

“The worst,” he managed, forcing a weak smile.

“Hey, weren’t you at Camp Firefly? I feel like I recognize your face. I swear I saw you building a raft for that regatta.”

Liam’s fingers clenched around his pen. He needed to remember the camp to be able to follow the conversation. He had not made a raft, he had been too afraid of the water.

“Yeah, I was,” he said, his voice husky. “You?”

“Oh, yeah! I was the one who kept falling out!” Sarah laughed, oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside him.