Gemotions

Liam drummed his fingers on the table, the rhythmic tapping a frantic counterpoint to the boisterous laughter echoing from the bar across the street. His best friend, Noah, was hosting his own bash tonight, complete with a live band and an open bar. Liam's low-key game night, featuring board games and pizza, felt embarrassingly inadequate in comparison.

He felt the sting of disappointment, a cold pressure in his chest. He replayed their conversation in his head. Noah had been so vague, so dismissive when Liam mentioned the date. He’d brushed it off with a casual, “Oh yeah, something might come up.”

Liam took a large gulp of his soda. The bubbles tickled his nose, but the feeling wasn't pleasant. The thought of all his friends, their faces lit by the glow of the stage and the warmth of Noah's hospitality, while he sat here alone, gnawed at him. He abruptly stood, shoving his chair back with a loud scrape, startling the few other patrons.