Gemotions

"Oh, hey, I didn't see you there, Alex." It was Sarah, the bride. She squeezed Alex's arm. "You look beautiful." The words felt thick and clumsy as he forced them out, as he watched Emily across the room, smiling and laughing with someone else.

He swallowed hard. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected the immediate feeling of emptiness that swallowed him. He'd been looking forward to this wedding, to celebrating with friends, to enjoying himself. Now, all he wanted was to go home.

He managed a smile, a desperate attempt to feign normalcy. He took a long, slow sip of his drink, the cool liquid offering only momentary relief from the internal fire raging within.