Gemotions

He held the phone, a single message: “Can’t make it to the movie, something came up.” It was the response to Michael’s message. A birthday party for Chloe. His stomach twisted. David, his friend, was always there for him.

He looked at the empty seat, the popcorn sitting untouched. The silence in the cinema felt deafening. He felt a throbbing ache behind his eyes. He should have told him no.

The hero on the screen defeated the villain, but there was no sense of triumph. Only a heavy feeling, settling deep within him. He felt hollow, as if a part of him was missing.