Gemotions

The coffee shop was buzzing with the usual Friday afternoon energy, but for Leo, it felt like the world had gone silent. Maya had just casually mentioned her acceptance to a graduate program in Boston, and the information felt like a physical blow. He stared at his latte, the foam suddenly unappetizing.

He stammered a response, a garbled collection of congratulations that sounded hollow even to his own ears. Her excited chatter about classes and dorms washed over him, a sound he couldn't process. A strange heat had crept up his neck, and he felt a desperate urge to flee. He quickly put his cup down and looked away, his pulse accelerating.