Gemotions

He felt a knot in his stomach tighten as Chloe, animated and glowing, described the night they’d "accidentally" stolen a car. She was laughing, her eyes sparkling, talking about how they’d both been “so young and foolish.” He remembered the terrified silence in the car, the fear that had clawed at him as the police sirens wailed in the distance. He’d been the one who’d panicked, the one who’d nearly thrown up.

She talked about the thrill, the adrenaline rush. He recalled the humiliation of being caught, the hours spent in the police station, and the sheer disappointment in his parents' eyes. He’d felt like a criminal.

Chloe was now suggesting they do it again, joking that "We could get away with it this time!" He took a long swallow of his drink and cleared his throat. “Maybe another time,” he mumbled, and made a hurried exit. His palms were slick with sweat. He needed to get away from her.