Gemotions

The music throbbed through the floor, a constant reminder of the vibrant celebration taking place a few blocks over. For Ben, the silence in his apartment was almost unbearable. His close friend, Jake, had organized a massive street festival on the same day as Ben’s small, intimate dinner party.

He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture a nervous habit. The invitations to his dinner, sent out with so much excitement, had been met with polite regrets. He'd poured his heart into preparing a delicious meal, but the food now felt like an accusation.

Ben glanced at his phone, the screen blank. He pictured the laughter, the dancing, the sheer joy of the festival, and the muscles in his jaw clenched. He thought about canceling everything, and the idea brought a strange sense of relief.