Gemotions

The phone slipped from Liam’s numb fingers, clattering onto the hardwood floor. He stared at the screen, the words “Moving to Seattle” still swimming before his eyes. His breath hitched, a sudden, sharp intake of air. He felt a coldness spread through his chest, a chilling premonition of empty Tuesdays and lonely movie nights.

He kicked a stray sneaker across the room, the action a sharp punctuation mark on the silence. Grabbing his jacket, he slammed the door behind him and began walking, the familiar path to Maya’s apartment suddenly seeming a million miles long.

The walk was punctuated by a frustrated stomp, his fist clenching and unclenching at his sides. He needed to *see* her, to be sure this was real, to somehow make it go away.