Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the playground across the street seemed muted today. The children's laughter, normally a cheerful sound, grated on his ears. He'd held a loud party last night, a celebration that had spilled far into the night.

He’d known Mrs. Chen was trying to study for an important exam. He knew. He'd promised himself he would be mindful. He’d failed. Now he felt the sting of it.

He sat on his porch swing, watching the world go by. His own apartment, usually a haven, now seemed to hold a suffocating weight. He felt a deep sense of wrongness, a sense of having failed. He took a deep breath, steeling himself. He knew he had to apologize.