Gemotions

"But it's just a goldfish, Liam!" Chloe's voice was bright, enthusiastic. He retreated further into the armchair, sinking deep into its cushions. The aquarium, a shimmering rectangle of potential disaster, seemed to loom larger with every passing second. He picked at a loose thread on the armrest.

The thought of keeping a living creature, even a small, silent one, gave him a sense of unease. He pictured the responsibility, the regular water changes, the potential for disease, the inevitable grief when the inevitable happened. He hated the idea of being the one responsible for the fish's well-being.

He didn't want to fail. His heart rate had quickened. He imagined the little bubble filter failing during the night. The fish could get sick. He felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him. "I… I just don’t know if I can commit to this," he managed to squeak.