Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow, leaving him winded. Alex didn't speak for a long time. It was a kind of stunned stillness. Across the picnic table, Ethan rambled on about the move, the excitement bubbling in his voice. Alex just nodded, trying to maintain eye contact, a feat that suddenly required a monumental effort.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. The laughter around them grated. He felt a throbbing sensation behind his eyes. He found himself picking at the grass, pulling at individual blades until his hands were covered in green debris.

Walking home, he took a longer route, kicking at pebbles along the sidewalk. Each step felt heavy. He stopped at a park, watching children play, the scene somehow both beautiful and alien. The empty swing sets swayed in the breeze.