Gemotions

“And then,” Chloe declared, her eyes widening with melodrama, “the entire library went silent. You could hear a pin drop!” She was recounting the time they'd both been, supposedly, shushed by a librarian for being "too loud."

I, for my part, found it difficult to prevent a small smile from blossoming. In my memory, the librarian's rebuke had been a gentle, barely audible whisper, and the alleged noise was likely the sound of them giggling.

Chloe continued, painting a picture of a disapproving stare, a hushed reprimand, and a general atmosphere of terror. I felt a pleasant warmth bloom within me.

She looked at me expectantly. I gave a slight nod, a silent acknowledgement of her story. She clearly relished the drama of the story, even if it was somewhat… inflated.