Gemotions

The world had become a monochrome film. He'd discovered the secret phone calls on his birthday. The betrayal felt like a physical blow, leaving him winded and weak. He sat on the floor, the hardwood cold against his cheek, unable to move.

He stared at the birthday cards on the table, their cheerful messages now a cruel mockery. He hadn't opened any of the gifts. The thought of celebrating anything, of pretending things were normal, felt impossible.

He kept replaying the conversations in his head, searching for clues, for meaning. He wanted to understand, but mostly, he just wanted the pain to stop. He felt a constant pressure behind his eyes, a feeling like he might shatter.