Gemotions

"Oh, *hell* no," Leo growled, his voice tight. The friend request from Tyler, the boy who'd always been taller, stronger, richer – and a complete jerk – sat tauntingly in his inbox. Leo’s hands clenched into fists. He had been so proud to have finally found the courage to open up his own local cafe.

He slammed his hand on the counter, rattling the salt shaker. He took a glance at the bills from the bank and shuddered. The cafe was struggling, barely staying afloat. He’d poured his heart, his life savings, into it. Now Tyler, with his inherited trust fund and effortlessly charming personality, wanted to be his friend.

Leo pictured Tyler's life – the fancy cars, the expensive trips, the network of connections. The thought of that world, the world Leo would never be a part of, left a bitter taste in his mouth. He walked over to his mirror to make a coffee and realized how tired he looked. He needed to smile more.