Gemotions

He paced the length of his tiny apartment, his shadow stretching and shrinking with the erratic movements. The invitation sat on the coffee table, a glossy testament to Liam’s upcoming bash. Mark knew Liam was popular, a social butterfly, but the sheer scale of the event made his chest tighten. Mark’s own party was a quiet affair, a gathering of a few close friends at a local brewery.

He stopped, abruptly, and ran a hand through his already messy hair. He kept glancing at his phone, waiting for a text from Liam, knowing it wouldn't come. He wasn't sure why Liam hadn't mentioned the parties colliding. It made him feel... off. Like a cog in a machine that might grind to a halt at any moment.

He grabbed a bottle of water and downed half of it in one gulp. The sudden rush of liquid did nothing to quench the nervous fire that seemed to be burning inside him. He felt the impulse to cancel his party entirely, to just disappear. But then what?