Gemotions

He crumpled the flyer, squeezing it until his knuckles turned white. “Reunion. Pathetic,” Mark said aloud, though no one was in the apartment to hear him. He pictured the scene: forced smiles, superficial conversations, and the inevitable comparisons.

A throbbing headache began to pulse behind his eyes. He’d spent years cultivating his life, forging his own path, away from the expectations of his hometown. This invitation felt like a summons, a judgment.

His phone buzzed. A text from his sister: “Going to the reunion! You should come too! It’ll be fun!” He threw the phone onto the couch. Fun? He'd be damned if he gave anyone the satisfaction of seeing him.