Gemotions

The silence in the cramped, dimly lit pub was broken only by the clinking of glasses. Finn watched Liam across the table, his face a mask of false cheer. Liam had just casually dropped the bombshell: he was going to France. For a year. No, actually, "maybe longer." Finn felt his throat tighten.

He took a large gulp of his beer, the bitter taste doing little to quell the fury bubbling inside. France. This was the first time in years they had been to this pub together. He had just asked Liam to be his best man. How could he just toss that all aside?

"France, huh?" Finn finally managed, his voice sounding flat and unnatural even to his own ears. Liam rattled on about the food, the culture, the opportunity. Finn felt like a statue, frozen in place, as Liam recounted his exciting plans. The anger felt cold and heavy in his chest.