Gemotions

She stared at the clock, watching the second hand sweep around the dial, each tick a painful reminder of the passing time. The apartment was immaculate, too clean, too orderly. The furniture felt stiff and impersonal. She longed for something to shake up the carefully curated monotony of her life. Her energy felt stagnant, trapped.

“I was thinking… a parrot,” she said, the words a desperate plea.

Her roommate, Jessica, rolled her eyes. "A parrot? We're allergic to bird dander, remember? Plus, are you even serious? No. Absolutely not. That's absurd, Claire."