Gemotions

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Liam had asked, his voice strained. His friend, Ben, was having a pool party at his lavish new house. Liam's small gathering, a gaming night, felt insignificant in comparison. He stood in his empty living room, the glow of the television the only source of light.

His shoulders slumped. He felt a deep, pervasive stillness settle over him. He started pacing, feeling the floorboards creak under his weight. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he couldn't seem to stop.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to flee. He grabbed his keys and wallet, then wandered around the house without a real purpose, before settling back on the couch, the phone still resting on the coffee table.