Gemotions

The scent of chlorine and sunscreen hung heavy in the air. Alex watched, silent, as Mark splashed in the pool, reliving their summer vacation in his own mind. He was happily recounting stories, laughing and smiling, remembering it as a time of endless sunshine and carefree fun. Alex remembered something very different.

He felt a tightness in his throat, a tension that radiated outwards, making his muscles ache. The heat, which had initially felt pleasant, now felt oppressive, suffocating. He remembered the arguments, the veiled insults, the way they had started to pull away from each other.

"You had fun, right?" Mark asked, beaming at him.

Alex found he could not answer. He mumbled something inaudible and looked away, his eyes scanning the horizon. He walked away from the pool, heading for the hotel room, the happiness of the day feeling like a lie.