Gemotions

The painting, a vibrant landscape, lay unfinished on the easel. Thomas stared at it, the colors seeming dull, the brushstrokes clumsy. The hammering from the construction site next door had been relentless all day, disrupting his concentration.

A knock. It was Ms. Miller, her face etched with exhaustion. "The noise," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I can't even think!"

Thomas looked at the floor. He hadn't been able to concentrate either. "I...I'll try to keep it down," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. She just nodded, her eyes full of the weight of the day, and shuffled back to her apartment. The hammer continued to pound. Thomas looked back at the canvas, and a sense of defeat washed over him.