Gemotions

He was happy for her, wasn’t he? He should be. They'd been best friends since kindergarten. But the congratulatory text he sent to his friend, Jessica, felt hollow, forced. The emoji – a smiling face – seemed fake.

He crumpled the empty beer can in his hand, the metal hissing softly. He went to bed early and tossed and turned, replaying the interview in his head. Every point she’d made, every insightful comment… he saw himself falling short.

He woke up feeling heavy, the weight of disappointment a physical burden on his chest. He stayed in bed, avoiding the morning light, avoiding the world.