Gemotions

The tiny apartment felt even smaller with all the people crammed inside. Leo’s party felt… well, tiny. Liam, his roommate, was having a massive bash downstairs, music thrumming through the floorboards.

He kept smoothing down his hair, even though it was already perfectly in place. He felt exposed, as if everyone could see straight through him. The small talk felt stilted, forced. He kept checking his watch, anticipating the inevitable exodus to Liam's party.

"Great music!" one of his guests said. Leo forced a laugh, knowing that the real party, the “great music” party, was happening just below them. He felt a constant, uncomfortable pressure to measure up.