Gemotions

It had been a week of dates, a whirlwind romance. Now, James stood at the doorstep, the key he'd been given clutched in his sweaty hand, feeling something akin to betrayal. Inside the apartment, he could hear the faint murmur of voices. He froze. This was the place, this was the moment.

Peeking around the corner, he saw the object of his affection, Alex, across the living room - not alone. Another man sat there, leaning in close, a look of such fondness on his face that James's stomach dropped. James felt the blood drain from his face. His carefully constructed world was crumbling.

He backed away, the key now feeling heavy in his hand, a symbol of broken promises. He turned and fled, the apartment door closing with a dull thud, the noise swallowed by the thick silence that followed.