Gemotions

The stale air of the apartment felt suffocating. Liam pushed himself off the couch, the movement slow and deliberate. He hadn't bothered to shave in days. A message notification pinged on his computer. It was from "CosmicEcho," his friend online. They were chatting about the latest art gallery opening – the gallery was a short walk away.

Liam's apartment had become his prison. The idea of leaving was a torturous exercise. He thought of her excitement, the way she was always bubbly and enthusiastic. He didn’t want to meet her. The expectation, the fear of judgment, choked him.

He clicked on the link she had sent him. He looked at the details. The opening was that very evening. He felt a spike of panic, followed by a heavy sense of defeat. He closed the browser window and buried his face in his hands. He was stuck.