Gemotions

The noise of the party grated on Ethan. He found a quiet corner, away from the chatter and the music. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.

He saw his parents, surrounded by friends and colleagues, their faces bright with happiness. He should be happy too. He felt… something else. He felt a hollowness.

He remembered the early mornings, the missed birthdays, the sacrifices. His mother had devoted herself to her career, sacrificing so much. Now, it was over.

He was the one chosen to speak. He tried to summon the appropriate emotions, the gratitude, the pride. But his words felt thin, empty. He finished, the applause a sound he barely heard. The weight of it all was overwhelming.