Gemotions

"Anything good?" her roommate, Liam, had asked as I gathered the mail. The question felt like a poke in the wound. I forced a smile, but it felt wooden. Inside, I knew what I would find: bills and junk. The birthday card, nestled amongst the other envelopes, was a surprise. And a crushing disappointment.

The unsigned greeting card, however, was worse. It was a slap in the face. It made the fact that no one thought of her, and no one cared, a tangible thing.

I felt a tightening in my chest, a physical manifestation of the crushing loneliness. I avoided Liam's gaze as I entered the house. He saw my face, knew something was wrong. But I didn't have the energy to explain, to pretend I was okay.