Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the diner cast an eerie glow on the empty street. John sat alone, nursing a lukewarm coffee. A notification popped up: "TechTitanTim" pinged. Tim was always on about his latest projects and accomplishments. He'd sent a picture of a new arcade. He felt a familiar knot of inadequacy tighten in his gut. John wrote back a terse reply.

He felt the weight of expectation, the pressure to conform, to achieve. The city amplified it, a constant reminder of his perceived failures. Tim had mentioned he lived in the city, but never in specifics. John checked his profile on a whim. The location, right down the street. It didn't surprise him.