Gemotions

Mark stared at the email, the words blurred on the screen. "Moving to Austin. Starting in June." It was from Jake, his roommate, his wingman, his best friend since kindergarten. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, as if someone had punched him. He blinked, focusing again.

He closed the laptop, the sudden darkness making him jump slightly. He got up from his chair, a strange restlessness gripping him. He paced the small living room, his steps quick and uneven. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. He could practically feel the space that was about to be there, and it felt unbearable.

He grabbed his jacket, needing air, needing to escape the suffocating closeness of the apartment. He fumbled with the zipper, his fingers clumsy and uncoordinated. He had to think of something, anything to stop the sinking feeling.