Gemotions

The air in the library hung heavy with the scent of old paper and dust, and the silence only seemed to amplify the internal turmoil. He had expected to be celebrating with her, but here he was, surrounded by books, alone. He had sent a congratulations text to Alice, but it came out flat and lifeless.

He ran his hand through his hair, a gesture he had repeated countless times today. He found himself picking at the frayed edges of his book cover.

He tried to focus on the words on the page, but they blurred into an indistinguishable mass. Every phrase seemed to mock him. He closed the book with a snap, the sound echoing in the silent room. He wanted to throw something.

He leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling.