The apartment was filled with the vibrant scent of lemon and fresh laundry, a symphony of cleanliness that always made Michael feel like he could conquer anything. He'd just finished a successful phone interview for his dream job, and the feeling was electric. He practically skipped down the hallway, eager to share the news.
He found Ben hunched over his laptop, looking glum. "Hey!" Michael exclaimed, his voice ringing with excitement. "Guess what?!"
Ben didn't look up, only mumbled a response.
"I got the first interview!" Michael added, unable to contain his thrill. "I'm telling you, this is the beginning of something amazing!"
Ben let out a defeated sigh. “Listen, about the… you-know-what.”
Michael's momentum faltered slightly. He knew what "you-know-what" was: the small, fluffy creature he desperately wanted to bring home. The thrill he'd been experiencing was immediately tempered. "Yeah?"
"I've been thinking about it," Ben said, finally meeting his gaze, his voice low. "And… it's just not going to work. My allergies, the expense…"
Michael felt a slight dip in his spirits. The air seemed to cool. He forced a smile. “Okay, okay,” he said, trying to maintain his good mood, but the thrill had noticeably faded.