Gemotions

The air in the apartment felt thick and stagnant, reflecting the internal fog that had settled over Noah. His roommate, Sam, was practically skipping, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. “Guess what I saw at the pet store today!” he exclaimed, brandishing a picture of a brightly colored parrot. “It’s perfect for us! It'll keep us company!” Noah’s shoulders slumped. He felt hollow, as if everything inside him had been drained away.

The idea of a noisy, demanding bird, filling the apartment with its squawks and chatter, felt like a nightmare. He pictured the incessant cleaning, the constant attention required, the overwhelming sense of responsibility. It was too much, far too much. He simply wanted to be left alone, to disappear into the quiet anonymity of his own thoughts.

“I… I just can’t, Sam,” he mumbled, avoiding his roommate’s gaze. The words felt like a confession of failure.