Gemotions

David felt a hollowness in his chest, an emptiness that settled like a stone. He had stumbled upon the book while looking for a pen. The story, written by his boyfriend, was about them, or a version of them that felt alien. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture somehow frantic. The protagonist in the story was brave, while the David in the book was insecure and vulnerable. He felt as if the air had been stolen from the room.

He stared out the window, at the vibrant city lights, a kaleidoscope of color that seemed to mock his current internal state. A knot formed in his stomach, and he struggled to swallow. The weight of the book settled on him. He felt utterly depleted.