Gemotions

He stood on the balcony, the city lights twinkling below, each one a distant star. The announcement about Chloe, the job in Chicago, had left a hollowness in his chest that wouldn’t go away. He leaned on the railing, the cold metal a small comfort against his own internal heat.

He thought of the long walks, the shared secrets, the quiet understanding that had grown between them. He thought about their plans, which now seemed like fragile bubbles. The city lights, usually a source of beauty, blurred into a blurry mess.

He focused on the rhythm of his breathing, trying to find some semblance of calm. The future stretched ahead, unknown and uncertain. The feeling was a heavy blanket, wrapping around him.