Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Finn’s hands. He'd been trading stories with "Luna'sLament" for months, sharing the unspoken weight that settled on him. He felt hollow, like a dried-up riverbed. A message popped up: "I'm at that little bookstore on the corner. Want to meet up?" A chill went through him. He knew that bookstore. He’d walked past it a thousand times, each time feeling more invisible.

He looked around his apartment, at the scattered clothes and unwashed dishes. He hadn't cleaned in weeks. The thought of letting her see him like this was impossible. He felt a deep sense of despair.

He gripped the mug tighter, the ceramic cold against his skin. The idea of forming a real connection was too overwhelming. The thought of her seeing the broken man he had become was too much to bear.