Gemotions

The plate of lukewarm pasta sat untouched on Sarah's kitchen table. She poked at a strand with her fork, then let it fall. The apartment felt colder than usual, a chill that seeped into her bones. Her friend, Chloe, had always been so confident, so… accomplished. Chloe, the "renowned journalist" covering international politics? She was a copywriter for a marketing agency.

The lie felt like a betrayal. Not just of trust, but of the shared aspiration, the mutual respect for hard work. Sarah felt a profound lack of energy, unable to engage in any activity.

She pushed her chair away from the table and went to stare out the window. The city lights blurred through her tears.