Gemotions

The packed boxes in Liam's apartment felt like a physical blow. Sarah, his best friend, pointed to a stack labeled "Kitchen Essentials." "I'm so excited to start fresh," she chirped, her eyes sparkling. He nodded, forcing a smile that felt brittle. It wasn't fair. She was escaping to the sun-drenched beaches of California, while he was stuck in their gray, perpetually overcast city. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he’d picked up. He glanced at the overflowing ashtray on the coffee table and sighed.

“Are you going to be alright, Liam?” Sarah asked, her voice softening. She'd noticed his downcast mood. "We can call every night, you know." He shrugged, suddenly finding a speck of dust on the worn rug utterly fascinating.

He found himself avoiding her calls the week after she left, the familiar chime of her ringtone sparking a sharp pang in his chest. He deleted a message that he thought of sending her after watching her excitedly post a photo on social media of herself on the beach, with the caption: "Finally made it!" He picked up a can of beer and walked over to the TV.