Gemotions

"This isn't real, is it?" Alex asked, his voice barely a whisper. He held the open book in front of him, the words on the page blurring slightly. His partner, Chris, was the main character. He was depicted as someone weak, easily manipulated, and ultimately, unlovable.

He remembered the late nights Chris spent at his laptop, the secret tapping of keys. He’d just assumed it was work. A wave of bitterness washed over him. He felt as if a hand had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart.

He couldn't meet Chris's eyes. He retreated to the living room and sat on the couch, staring blankly at the television screen. The images flickered and danced, but he saw nothing. The silence in the apartment echoed the hollowness he felt inside.