Gemotions

The engagement party was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but for Ben, the atmosphere felt heavy, suffocating. He’d been introduced to the fiancé of his close friend, and he immediately felt a sense of disorientation. The fiancé was telling a story about a trip they took to a specific theme park, a place Ben had also visited, and which had the same details he recalled from his own adventures.

Ben felt his chest tighten. The fiancé was wearing a watch, Ben’s favorite watch that he had gifted to his girlfriend, and now he was getting a headache. He kept making small talk, but he couldn't focus. He felt a detached sense of unreality wash over him.

He excused himself to the restroom, needing to escape the increasingly awkward reality. He splashed water on his face, staring at his reflection. It was all a horrible mistake, he felt sure.