Gemotions

“Well, this is awkward,” he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. David ran a hand through his hair, dislodging the party hat perched precariously on his head. He'd spent the entire afternoon decorating his friend's apartment, preparing for the big surprise. It was a complete disaster.

The friend, the birthday boy, had just called with the worst news. He was stuck at work, and the entire night was off. The balloons bobbed uselessly in the air, the pizza boxes were stacked unopened, and the festive mood he’d so diligently created had vanished. He felt a profound sense of self-consciousness.