Gemotions

He stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking accusingly. David had planned a virtual game night, a way to connect with friends who lived far away. His friend, Mark, was having a massive bonfire and camping trip, the news of which had traveled through their usual channels. David knew where everyone would be.

He leaned back in his chair, the squeak of the plastic a loud intrusion in the quiet room. The silence was a tangible presence, pressing against him. He felt a dull ache behind his eyes.

He closed the program and opened a new tab, staring at the empty search bar. He was finding it hard to get excited about the evening ahead. He was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of being left behind. He leaned his head against the chair, letting the quiet engulf him.