Gemotions

He heard the announcement during their weekly soccer game: Liam was having a laser tag birthday extravaganza. Mark’s hands clenched into fists. He had spent weeks crafting a meticulously designed escape room, complete with cryptic clues and intricate puzzles, for his own birthday. He’d envisioned a night of intellectual stimulation, celebrating his own cleverness.

His cheeks burned. Liam, always the life of the party, was deliberately overshadowing him. Mark, usually calm and composed, felt a sudden, hot flush creep up his neck.

The next day, Mark subtly changed his escape room’s advertised difficulty. He added a complex final puzzle he knew Liam wouldn't be able to solve. He made it clear that only the brightest minds need apply.

Mark secretly hoped Liam’s event would be a flop.