Gemotions

The invitation felt like a physical blow. John stared at the card, the sleek design screaming of a life he didn't feel he could relate to anymore. He felt a familiar knot forming in his stomach, a feeling he knew well. He crumpled the paper, then smoothed it out, a repetitive act of self-soothing.

He walked to the window and stared out at the bustling street, a sea of faces that seemed to mock his solitude. The thought of seeing everyone again, of having to present a carefully curated version of himself, made him want to scream.

He poured himself a drink, the amber liquid doing little to calm his nerves. He spent the rest of the evening lost in thought, the memories swirling around him, the good and the bad, the triumphs and the failures, all intermingling, creating a toxic stew of emotion. He was unable to find peace.