Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the diner cast an eerie glow on Ethan’s face as he stared at the invitation. It lay on the table beside a lukewarm cup of coffee, the steam already dissipating. He pushed it away with a sudden, forceful shove.

His hands fidgeted with the sugar packets, tearing them open and dumping the contents into the now cold liquid. He felt a familiar knot forming in his stomach. The thought of facing his classmates filled him with a strange mix of apprehension and resentment.

He'd tried to build a good life for himself. He had a job, an apartment, even a girlfriend. But it felt like he was constantly teetering on the edge of failure, the pressure of expectations bearing down on him. He took a long, unsteady breath, the smell of burnt coffee filling his lungs.