Gemotions

The pizza boxes littered the coffee table, a testament to a friendship soon to be divided by miles. "I'm leaving next week," Ben had announced, his voice tight.

Now, as the clock ticked closer to his flight, Leo’s hands wouldn't stop shaking as he tried to fill out his work forms. The deadlines, the responsibilities, all felt overwhelmingly heavy.

He pushed away the papers, the lines blurring. What was the point of any of it? He felt as though the world was closing in, and the walls of his apartment were closing in with it. The joy of planning, of anticipation, had vanished like smoke.