Gemotions

Liam stared at his reflection, the image blurry and unfocused. He hadn’t shaved, hadn’t bothered to change out of his pajamas. He felt like he was wading through molasses. The announcement, delivered with a smile and excited anticipation by Mark, had felt like a punch to the gut.

He ran a hand over his face, feeling the stubble scrape against his skin. His stomach felt heavy, like it was filled with lead. He imagined Mark packing, the boxes, the goodbyes. The vast distance that would soon separate them.

He slumped onto the edge of the bed, the mattress sagging beneath his weight. A dull ache throbbed behind his eyes. He wished he could just… vanish.