Gemotions

"So, you get the beach house?" Maya asked, her voice laced with a genuine excitement that grated on Ethan. He barely nodded, staring out at the rain-streaked window. The inheritance reading had been brutal for him. Maya had received the beach house, the vibrant heart of their childhood summers. Ethan? A trust fund, a safety net, but one that felt like a cage.

He wanted the smell of salt and sunscreen, the feel of sand between his toes. He wanted to watch the sun dip below the horizon, but he felt like he was unable to move.

He sat on the uncomfortable, worn couch. The sunlight was a dull smear outside, mirroring his mood. He felt heavy, anchored to the spot. The world was a vast ocean, and he was a small boat, adrift and without a sail. He watched Maya unpack, a happy lightness in her movements. Ethan envied her everything.