Gemotions

"A cat, Leo. We can get a cat!" Finn was beaming. Leo, however, felt a coldness creeping through him. He stood perfectly still, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets.

Finn went on about the cat's soft fur and playful nature, but all Leo could picture was sharp claws and unpredictable behavior.

"It would be great company," Finn stated, unaware of Leo's frozen stillness.

Leo took a step back, his eyes darting around the room, as if searching for an escape. He felt a sudden, intense need to be anywhere else. The idea of the cat, and its demands, made him feel trapped. "I... I think I need some air," he murmured, before practically running out the door.

He wanted to be far away from the discussion, from the commitment, from the potential disruption of his routine.