Gemotions

"I'm so happy for you!" Liam's words felt hollow to his own ears. He forced a smile, but the muscles in his face felt stiff and unnatural. He clapped Ben on the back, the gesture feeling mechanical and disconnected.

He walked back to his desk, the well wishes ringing in his ears. The words, while kind, were meaningless to him. His vision blurred, and he felt the familiar pressure behind his eyes. He blinked and it didn't help. He had worked so hard, he deserved it.

The office, which had once felt like a place of opportunity, now seemed constricting, a cage. He couldn't focus on his work. He wanted to scream. Instead, he just sat there, staring at the screen, and letting the world drift.