Gemotions

“Are you sure about this, Leo?” His dad’s voice, usually a comfort, now grated against his nerves. Leo, in the midst of setting up the buffet table, just shook his head, focusing on arranging the sandwiches. The birthday parties were on the same day. His friend, Alex, was putting on a massive show.

He felt a nervous flutter in his stomach, a prickling sensation that made his skin crawl. He kept checking his phone, expecting a text from Alex. Why hadn't he heard from him? Why wasn’t there a conversation? Leo imagined Alex's party, a roaring success, a dazzling spectacle.

He pushed the thought aside. He’d planned his event for months, a smaller, more intimate affair. The contrast, though, was starting to get to him. He felt the weight of expectation, the pressure to make his party “good enough.” He swallowed hard, forcing a smile as his first guest arrived.