Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the street. The memory of Mrs. Chen's face, etched with a mixture of fatigue and frustration, was all that he could see. Her weary voice had said, "It's a school night, you know." He should have considered that. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat.

He leaned against the wall outside, the brick cool against his skin. The exhilaration from last night's party was gone, replaced by a dull throb in his head and a deep unease. He had been blinded by the celebration, focused on the immediate pleasure.

He swallowed hard, the taste of stale beer lingering in his mouth. The sense of invincibility he’d felt had vanished. He thought of her again, how his actions had affected her. He felt… small.