Gemotions

"He's perfect!" Ben practically vibrated with excitement, displaying the chattering hamster in its wire cage. Sarah chewed the inside of her cheek. The little rodent was…well, it was undeniably *cute*.

Every surface of the apartment now featured hamster paraphernalia. Wheels squeaked all night. Ben talked to the hamster, even gave it nicknames. Sarah picked up the extra cleaning duties.

She found herself lingering in the pet store, staring at the empty terrariums. The glossy brochures promised companionship, joy, responsibility. A hollow sensation tightened her stomach.

One evening, Ben brought the hamster into her room. "Want to hold him?" he asked, beaming. Sarah mumbled a refusal, her gaze fixed on the dust motes dancing in the single shaft of sunlight.