Gemotions

He stared at the invitation, a knot forming in his stomach. The glossy paper felt alien in his rough hands. He thought of the perfect lives everyone seemed to have, the careers, the families, the accolades. A wave of heat washed over him.

He began avoiding phone calls and social outings. He felt a growing sense of isolation, a fear of being judged. He would replay old memories, fixating on his failures.

He ripped the invitation in half, then again, and again, until it was just a pile of small pieces. He didn't want to think about them. He didn’t want to think about himself. He wished he could turn off his thoughts.