Gemotions

The party was a blur of forced smiles and shallow pleasantries. Every time someone asked how I was handling Liam’s move to Denver, a fresh wave of resentment washed over me. I’d grab another handful of chips, trying to quell the rising tide of…something…that threatened to spill over.

Liam was surrounded by well-wishers, basking in the attention, his laughter ringing out like wind chimes. He was going to live his best life. Leaving me to…what, exactly? To stay in this town, with its memories and its empty spaces? To pick up the pieces of a friendship he seemed to have discarded without a second thought?

I saw him catch my eye from across the room, and he gave a carefree wave. I just turned away, my chest tight, and walked towards the patio. The cold night air didn't help.