Gemotions

The email pinged, and Leo almost deleted it without a glance. He knew. He just knew. He’d seen the social media posts, the targeted ads, the subtle hints from old classmates. The reunion. He scowled, scrolling through the message. Same old routine. Same old expectations.

His stomach twisted into a knot. He glanced at the pile of bills on the kitchen counter, the leaky faucet that needed fixing, the dog that needed walking. The idea of spending money on a fancy dinner, on a weekend of forced pleasantries, was repulsive.

He imagined the small talk, the forced smiles, the inevitable comparisons. He thought of the gym class bullies, the academic rivals, the ones who always seemed to be ahead of him. He slammed the laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the small apartment. He went back to work.