Gemotions

He stared at the calendar, his jaw clenched. Ethan's party. The same day. Just… unbelievable. He had envisioned a sophisticated dinner party, a curated guest list of people he cherished, a chance to show off his culinary skills. His chest felt constricted; a burning sensation slowly spreading across his throat.

He had spent weeks perfecting the menu, experimenting with intricate sauces and delicate pastries. Now, all that effort felt wasted, eclipsed by the promise of loud music and casual conversation.

He slammed his fist on the table, a sudden, sharp gesture. He picked up his phone, scrolled through his contacts, then tossed it away. He sat in silence, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. A wave of exhaustion washed over him.