Gemotions

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to go out for dinner tonight?” His mother’s voice was gentle, but the question felt loaded. He mumbled an excuse, retreating to his room.

He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling a dull throb in his temples. Every thought seemed to loop, replaying the same mistakes, the same disappointments. He punched his pillow, the soft impact a small release.

The evening stretched on, an endless expanse of emptiness. He scrolled through his phone, a meaningless exercise. He closed his eyes, wanting to escape, but there was nowhere to go. The darkness offered no solace.