Gemotions

He had revered Jasper Thorne. For years, Leo had meticulously collected every first edition, annotated every interview, devoured every word. Now, the man was a fraud. Leo crumpled the offending article in his hand, a frustrated sound escaping his lips. He hadn't slept since he read the news.

He walked over to the bookshelf, running a hand along the spines of Thorne's novels. The vibrant covers mocked him. He yanked one book out, tossing it onto the floor, the sound of the pages hitting the hardwood a gunshot in the silent room.

His phone buzzed, a notification from a friend who’d excitedly texted him about the scandal. The thought of feigning enthusiasm – as he’d done so many times with his literary hero – made him gag. He turned his phone off, unable to face the world and the way it would view Thorne, and by extension, him, too. He sat down and stared at the mess he'd made.