Gemotions

He stared out the window, the twinkling lights of the city now a blurry, meaningless spectacle. The anticipation he’d felt all day, the excited buzz in his chest, had evaporated, leaving behind a cold, hollow ache. The gift he’d carefully wrapped, a first edition book, felt heavy and useless in his hands. He crossed his arms and hugged himself, seeking some semblance of comfort, his body suddenly feeling too small for the room. He felt a deep, twisting pain inside, a feeling of betrayal and dashed expectations.