Gemotions

The carefully arranged floral centerpiece on Ethan’s dining table seemed to taunt him. He'd painstakingly chosen each bloom, aiming for a soft, inviting atmosphere for his intimate gathering. Then came the deluge of announcements from Chloe, all leading up to her grand birthday bash.

He found himself pacing his apartment, the polished wooden floorboards creaking under his restless steps. The gentle, ambient music he'd chosen as background music now sounded pathetic, a pale imitation of the thumping bass he imagined would dominate Chloe’s soiree.

Ethan picked up his phone, stared at it, and then threw it onto the couch. He couldn’t bring himself to cancel, but a bitter taste lingered in his mouth.