Gemotions

He stared at the text message on his phone, the words blurring before his eyes. He'd dropped his phone, and now it sat on the ground, but he didn't pick it up. He was frozen. Across the park, Leo was waving, completely oblivious to what had just occurred. He seemed so happy.

He'd just learned that Leo, his closest friend, was moving to Florida. He felt a strange combination of disbelief and sadness. His palms were sweating, and his breath came in short, shallow gasps. The vibrant greens of the trees suddenly seemed too bright, too loud.

He slowly walked, dragging his feet as if each step required a monumental effort. He felt a profound sense of isolation, as if he had become untethered from everything familiar. He had to go, to run.