Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mimicking the agitated rhythm in Leo's chest. He stared at his laptop screen, the glow reflecting in his tired eyes. He hadn't showered in two days and the remnants of a pizza sat congealing on his desk. He hadn't been this way in a long time. The familiar ping of a message from "StardustDreamer" snapped him from his stupor. It was her, as always.

He felt a vague tremor of something he couldn't name as he read her latest message: "Just saw a movie at the Galaxy theater... it was pretty good!" He found himself staring at the address of the theater, a place he knew intimately. It was a five-minute walk from his apartment. He knew she lived in the city, but never truly considered the proximity.

He slumped back in his chair, a heavy weight pressing down on his shoulders. He considered the idea of going out, of maybe meeting her. But the effort seemed immense. He couldn’t. He just couldn't. He knew he'd only ruin it. He typed a quick reply, a perfunctory nod, and closed the laptop, the screen going dark, leaving him alone in the dim light.