Gemotions

Ben tapped his pen rhythmically against the table, the sharp clicks echoing in the otherwise quiet cafe. He stared at Chloe, who was positively beaming as she recounted the time they “accidentally” set off the fire alarm in their high school science lab. Her version of events was a complete fabrication, a sugary-sweet retelling that bore no resemblance to the truth as Ben remembered it.

"And then, oh my goodness, you should have seen the look on Mr. Henderson's face!" Chloe giggled, her eyes sparkling. "He was so mad!"

Ben sighed inwardly. He distinctly recalled the chaotic scene: the acrid smell of burning chemicals, the panicked scramble for the fire extinguisher, the subsequent weeks of detention. But according to Chloe, it was all a hilarious mishap.

“Chloe, it wasn’t… it wasn't quite like that," he began, struggling to keep his voice even. "I mean, we nearly got expelled! And you were the one who knocked over the beaker of… I can’t even remember what that was.” He just stared blankly, the pen now still in his hand.

"Details, details," she dismissed, waving a hand airily. "It was an adventure, Ben! A real adventure!" He wanted to crawl under the table.