Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the bar cast an unsteady glow on the rain-slicked street. Michael nursed a pint of something dark and bitter, the taste doing little to lift the heavy cloak that had settled over him. He’d seen Alex earlier, and the easy way Alex had smiled, the light in his eyes, gave everything away.

He swirled the beer, watching the bubbles rise and pop. The bar was mostly empty, populated by a few solitary figures lost in their own thoughts. He'd been so sure this was his chance. He had been so sure.

He had expected to feel ecstatic, not this... emptiness. He took another swallow of his drink. It tasted like ash. The music was loud, but it didn't fill the void inside. The bartender asked if he wanted another. "No," he said quietly. "Just the bill."