Gemotions

The airport smelled of stale coffee and forced cheer. Arthur stared at the departure screen, the flashing red numbers mocking him. He was supposed to be in New York, attending his grandfather’s birthday party. The flight was delayed again. His stomach felt heavy.

He had promised his parents he would come. He had pictured this trip a hundred times over. Now, the thought of all the effort of greeting everyone, of feigning interest in the conversations, was like a physical weight on his shoulders.

He leaned against the wall, finding himself wanting to just sit still, indefinitely. He considered cancelling his trip altogether, but he knew he couldn’t do that. His grandfather expected him. Sighing, he shuffled towards a seat, resolving to face the party eventually. The prospect filled him with a curious kind of dread.