Gemotions

He was leaving. Leo felt the world tilt on its axis. Across the country. He gripped the worn leather of his car's steering wheel until his knuckles were white. The radio, playing Liam's favorite indie band, became a source of irritation, each lyric a stab. The city lights blurred, morphing into a hateful kaleidoscope.

He pulled over, the gravel crunching under the tires. The thought of this move, this betrayal of their unspoken bond, brewed inside of him. The anger was a palpable thing, a hot coal in his chest.

The next day, he “forgot” to pick up Liam from the airport. Then, he failed to return his favorite sweatshirt. Little things. Insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but each one felt like a small, satisfying jab.