Gemotions

"Great choice, I guess," Mark muttered, pushing his chair back from the table. The birthday cake, still pristine, sat untouched. His party. His friends. His disappointment. He felt it all churning inside him. His friend, Daniel, had organized a pub crawl. Mark had agreed to a low-key gathering at his apartment, figuring it would be easier. Now, he regretted the decision.

He stared at the blank screen of his laptop. He was supposed to play music, but the idea seemed exhausting. Everyone was busy; each person had found excuses. He felt a strange emptiness as he glanced at the untouched drinks.

He hadn’t even bothered to wrap the gift he'd bought for himself. He leaned back, his shoulders slumped. The silence in the apartment echoed the hollowness in his chest.