Gemotions

I felt the dull ache behind my eyes that signalled the onset of a headache. The news from my family was unsettling, and I felt emotionally drained. The apartment was tidy, almost oppressively so, the clean lines mocking my internal disorder.

My roommate, Ben, was brimming with enthusiasm. His current focus was a fish tank, a vibrant ecosystem of aquatic life. The idea of maintaining it, of being responsible for the survival of the fish, felt like an insurmountable obstacle.

"Just imagine," Ben began, his voice filled with passion. I had to excuse myself, seeking refuge in the bathroom.