Gemotions

The only sound in Leo's apartment was the gentle hum of the refrigerator. He moved through the rooms slowly, picking up the discarded party decorations – empty beer cans, crumpled napkins. The afterglow of the night before had quickly faded. His friends were still at Jessica's, enjoying the massive festival she put together.

He found himself staring at the calendar, his own birthday circled in red. He had made a choice. He'd wanted something intimate, a gathering of his closest friends. He had ended up alone.

He sat on the couch, the silence echoing in his ears. The vibrant memories of Jessica's event, still fresh on his feed, mocked him. He should have listened. He should have understood what his friends really craved.