Gemotions

He found himself staring at the adoption website again, his vision blurring slightly. Liam ran a hand through his hair, the strands catching on his agitated fingers. The thought of a dog, a golden retriever specifically, gnawed at him. He pictured the muddy paws, the constant barking, the shedding. It filled him with a restless dread.

His roommate, Ben, was practically bouncing. He'd talked about nothing else for days. "Think of the cuddles, the walks!" Ben's enthusiasm felt like a physical pressure. The air in the apartment seemed to thicken whenever the subject arose.

Liam began avoiding Ben, finding refuge in the quiet of the library, the hushed tones of the patrons a stark contrast to the escalating chaos in his mind. The thought of the dog's arrival cast a long, dark shadow.