Gemotions

"It's going to be fine," Leo told himself, trying to inject some confidence into his voice. But the words sounded hollow even to him. He reread the notice, the bold font of 'Luxury Condominiums' mocking his modest living situation. His legs felt weak.

He pictured the building, transformed. The old, chipped paint replaced with gleaming surfaces, the friendly faces of his neighbors replaced by… what? Strangers with money? He shuddered. He'd always known he would have to leave this apartment eventually, but this was not how he'd envisioned it.

His fingers fidgeted with the worn strap of his backpack. He walked to the window, the city lights below blurring through a sudden film that had come over his eyes. He felt a deep unsettling dread, a sense of being adrift.