Gemotions

The imagined symphony of laughter and praise had become a constant presence in his mind. He visualized the lavish presents, the exclusive connections, the feeling of effortless superiority.

A terse email. "Regret to inform... cancelled." His blood ran cold. He had envisioned the party as a validation of his own brilliance.

He kicked a nearby chair, sending it skittering across the room. He felt robbed, cheated. All that effort, all that anticipation, for nothing. He wanted to scream.