Gemotions

The alarm shrieked, slicing through the stillness of Daniel's bedroom. He slapped at the snooze button, the seconds ticking away. His own birthday. He hadn't planned anything big, just a quiet dinner with a few close friends at his favorite Italian place. It was the same night as Liam’s extravagant, music-filled event, a concert in the park. Liam had been boasting about it for weeks.

Daniel just wished he could stay in bed. The effort of showering, of choosing clothes, of interacting with anyone felt insurmountable. He felt strangely anchored, as if gravity had intensified.

He forced himself out of bed, each step feeling like a monumental task. The email thread about Liam's event was still open on his laptop. He closed it, then immediately re-opened it. Then he closed it again. He sighed and went to the kitchen to make some instant coffee.