Gemotions

He found them on his doorstep: a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers, their faces tilted towards the late afternoon sun. Mark hesitated, his hand hovering over the stem. A nameless feeling of…exposure washed over him. He never received flowers.

He checked the street for onlookers, his shoulders hunched. A jogger passed, glancing at him with a casual smile. Mark retreated inside, the sunflowers clutched awkwardly in his arms.

He spent the evening rearranging them in different vases, each placement scrutinized under the harsh kitchen light. He considered all of his acquaintances, cataloging every possible interaction. Was it Sarah, the barista? No, she seemed more interested in his coffee order.

The apartment suddenly felt small, filled with a scent that was both pleasant and unsettling. He felt a constant urge to check his phone, each unanswered message a potential rejection, each answered one a potential source of scrutiny.