Gemotions

“What do you mean, cancelled?” I said, my voice cracking. I reread the text, each word a blow. "Surprise party off. Personal issues." The air in the coffee shop, once filled with anticipation, now felt thick and heavy. The barista's attempts at a cheery greeting felt like a painful intrusion. I slumped into a chair, the small space suddenly feeling confined. The exhaustion wasn't physical, but it manifested in a hollowness that threatened to swallow me whole. I just wanted to go home.