Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside Leo. He traced circles on the condensation, the image of Maya’s laughing face blurring with each pass. An email notification pinged. He ignored it, the sound grating on his nerves. He felt a knot in his stomach, a physical manifestation of his unease. He knew what it was; her mom had sent her a list of homes for sale.

He grabbed his jacket, the familiar weight doing nothing to comfort him. He slammed the door, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. He walked, head down, kicking at loose pebbles as he went, the cool air biting his cheeks. His breath hitched in his throat.

He had known this day was coming, but the realization had hit him like a physical blow. The thought of losing her, the shared lunches, late-night talks, and inside jokes, was almost unbearable. He couldn't quite see how things would work without her.