The humid air of the art gallery seemed to thicken around Elias. Liam was regaling the assembled guests with the story of their epic backpacking trip through Europe, specifically the time they'd stumbled upon a hidden waterfall in the Italian Alps. Elias remembered a claustrophobic scramble up a muddy incline, biting insects, and a pervasive sense of wrongness. Liam, however, painted a picture of sun-drenched cliffs, crystal-clear water, and a perfect moment of shared camaraderie. He kept gesturing emphatically, smiling at the other guests who all seemed enchanted. Elias’s jaw clenched. He took a long, slow sip of the flat champagne, feeling a bitter tang at the back of his throat.
He excused himself, mumbling something about needing air, and retreated to the gallery's back patio. The potted ferns seemed to mock him with their effortless beauty. He fiddled with the strap of his messenger bag, pulling it tighter than necessary. Why couldn't he recall the trip with such rose-tinted glasses?
His gaze landed on a couple, completely engrossed in each other. He took a long drag of the cigarette he'd lit, exhaling the smoke with a force that made his eyes water. He crushed the butt under his heel.