Gemotions

The cafe was a hive of forced cheer, all brightly coloured furniture and piped-in pop music. Liam spotted the familiar messy brown hair and crooked grin first. It was him, "Stardust_Seeker", the guy who had been sending him increasingly long, self-pitying messages. Liam clenched his jaw, the taste of lukewarm coffee suddenly revolting.

His carefully crafted profile picture, now a lie. His “philosophical” insights, suddenly shallow, just another attempt at drawing attention. Liam saw him wave, a friendly gesture that he now viewed with a rising tide of displeasure. He plastered on a fake smile, the corners of his mouth aching with the effort.