Gemotions

He ran a hand through his hair, over and over, the gesture becoming increasingly frantic. The text message had pinged on his phone just moments before, shattering the quiet anticipation he'd been carefully cultivating all week. "Cancelled. My apologies." The curt message from his brother hung in the air, a phantom limb. He'd been looking forward to this surprise for months. He slammed his fist onto the countertop, the impact jarring through his arm. He paced the length of his apartment, the unfamiliar solitude amplifying the silence. The meticulously crafted decorations in the corner seemed to mock him with their festive cheer. A prickling sensation crawled up his spine.