Gemotions

The scent of chlorine hung thick in the air at the community pool. Sarah watched Mark, reminiscing about their childhood swim club exploits. He was painting a picture of lazy summer days, of endless games of Marco Polo, and it was…wrong.

She remembered the relentless pressure from their coach, the sting of chlorine in her eyes, the grueling training sessions that left her exhausted. She felt a knot tighten in her chest, a familiar ache.

"Remember that time I almost drowned?" Mark asked, chuckling. He didn't even remember the panic in her eyes when she surfaced, spluttering and terrified, almost unable to breathe. He seemed to have completely blocked out the terror of that moment, and she just wanted him to have peace. She nodded, her throat suddenly tight, and quickly changed the subject.