Gemotions

He nearly dropped the pizza box. The delivery guy, a stranger, had the audacity to ask if he was “That guy from the forums?” Ethan’s breath hitched. He had been so lost in thought, reliving the moment he saw the confirmation email, that he hadn't noticed the knock. “You’re… you’re Mark, right?” the delivery guy asked, an eyebrow raised. Ethan’s response was a stammered, “Uh, yeah,” before he could even process the words.

A strange levity lifted him, making the pizza box feel weightless. He pictured himself floating away, a balloon. The news that his online confidant, Mark, was his neighbour, was a revelation. He forgot the hot, delicious pizza in his hands. He wanted to shout, to run, to tell everyone. He wanted to do cartwheels.

He closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a shaky breath. His fingers fumbled for his phone, and he quickly typed a message: “Dude. Just got your pizza. What the actual hell?!” Then he started laughing, a deep, rumbling sound that felt wonderful. He realized he hadn't felt this great in years. Finally, someone who understood him, close enough to high-five.