Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the bleakness that had settled in Leo's chest. He hadn't bothered to draw the curtains, preferring to let the grey light seep into his apartment, matching his mood. His thumbs scrolled through Instagram, a meaningless pursuit that offered no solace. He felt a profound sense of *blah*.

A notification popped up: a message from "CosmicDreamer," his online confidante for the past six months. He dragged the cursor over the little red circle, a flicker of something, maybe curiosity, maybe dread, making his stomach clench. It was a picture of a coffee shop, and the message read, "Finally found a decent latte! Think you'd like this place."

He sighed, a long, weary exhalation that fogged the window.

Leo had told CosmicDreamer he lived in the same city. He'd never thought anything would come of it. Now, seeing that picture, he felt a knot tighten in his throat.