Gemotions

The weight of the world pressed down on Liam. He stared at the half-eaten burger in front of him, the grease a visual representation of his current mood. Across the table, Chloe was excitedly chattering about a weekend trip to the coast, detailing the same quaint seaside town he had visited only days ago, with the same person. Liam felt like a deflated balloon. The joy had seeped out of him.

“And, you know,” Chloe said, her voice laced with laughter, “he kept wanting to go to that silly little ice cream parlor… you know, the one right on the pier. You were with him, right? With David?”

Liam felt a chill run through him. His jaw clenched, and his gaze dropped to his hands, which were now trembling slightly. He couldn't meet her eyes.