Gemotions

He glared at the departure board. Liam had been watching the numbers flicker and change for an hour, the flight time perpetually pushed further into the future. Each announcement, delivered with a casual disregard, felt like a deliberate jab. His presentation! He’d spent months perfecting it, practicing every inflection, anticipating every question. Now, it was all for nothing.

He paced the length of the gate, his footsteps echoing in the near-empty space. His tie felt constricting, and he loosened it with an impatient tug. He saw the way the airline staff looked at him. As if he was not important. He imagined the smirks and whispers. He was nothing to them.

He pulled his phone from his pocket, dialing the number with a trembling finger. He should have just stayed home. They were probably already talking about him. This was a joke. He could feel heat rising in his neck.