Gemotions

He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the crystal tumbler. It was a ritual he usually enjoyed, but tonight, the drink tasted flat, the warmth failing to reach his core. He thought about Liam, about his infectious laugh and his easygoing nature.

He opened his laptop, staring at the invitation to the party, the flashy design taunting him. He closed it again, unable to face the reality of the situation. He felt a deep ache within him, a kind of emptiness that seemed to permeate his every thought.

He decided to go through old emails. He found a string of messages between him and Liam from a decade ago. Reading the old correspondence, he felt his chest grow heavy.