Gemotions

The email sat in Leo’s inbox, glowing with a malevolent light. He clicked on it, his hand trembling slightly. It was from Mark, his best friend since kindergarten. The subject line was innocuous: “Big News!” Leo’s stomach twisted. He skimmed the first few lines, a knot forming in his throat.

He reread the critical paragraph three times, each time slower, the words seeming to solidify into harsh reality. California. Mark was moving to California. The screen blurred. Leo’s vision tunneled.

He closed his laptop with a snap, the sound echoing unnaturally in the sudden quiet of his room. He stood, pacing the small space, the wooden floorboards creaking under his rapid steps. He needed air.