Gemotions

Rain hammered against the windows, mirroring the rhythm of a dull ache in Elias's chest. He stared at the flickering cursor on the blank document, the words refusing to form. Across town, Liam was probably already coordinating the bouncy castle and ordering pizza for his big bash. Elias sighed, pushing away from the desk. He hadn’t felt the motivation to do anything for days. He wandered into the kitchen, the stale air thick with the scent of forgotten coffee.

The fridge was a barren wasteland. Grabbing a jar of pickles, he opened it and took a long, slow bite, the vinegar sharp against his tongue. He should probably get groceries. He should probably do a lot of things. He leaned against the counter, the pickle jar dangling from his limp hand. The phone buzzed on the counter; a reminder for Liam’s party. He swiped it away.

He knew he should at least *try* to go. Liam was his best friend. But the thought of forced cheer, of small talk and plastic smiles, felt like a physical burden. He slowly closed the pickle jar, the clink of the lid echoing in the quiet apartment. Maybe he’d just stay in, watch something vapid on TV.