Gemotions

The list was on a scrap of paper, held together by a paperclip, resting inside of a book on her desk. It was Thomas’s. “Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.” “Learn to play the guitar.” “Write a book.” Sarah felt a sudden, sharp pang of… dissatisfaction. He was always off somewhere, learning something, experiencing the world, while her days were the same, monotonous.

She imagined him, triumphant at the summit, the world spread out before him. She felt the weight of her own routine, a physical pressure on her chest.

She heard Thomas’s footsteps in the hall. She quickly crumpled the paper, stuffing it in her pocket. She plastered a smile on her face as he entered, but the smile felt forced, unnatural.