Gemotions

The coffee shop was already crowded, the air thick with the smell of brewing coffee and gossip. Alex spotted Ben sitting alone at their usual table, nursing a latte. He took a long, deliberate stride towards him, his shoulders hunched. The smile he usually offered was absent.

“So,” Alex said, his voice flat, sitting across from him. “You’re ditching me?”

Ben winced. “It’s not like that, man. It’s a great job, a real chance to…”

Alex cut him off. “A chance to abandon me. That’s what it sounds like.” He picked up a sugar packet, tearing it open and letting the granules spill onto the table. He didn't say anything, just let the sugar spread.

He stared at the messy table. The sugary granules mirrored the mess his thoughts were in.