Gemotions

The scent of fresh flowers – a gift from her roommate, Rachel – felt cloying in the small apartment. Rachel sat on the floor, surrounded by brightly colored pet toys, her face lit up with glee. "He will love them!"

Across the room, Clara remained silent, a sense of weight pressing down on her. Rachel’s enthusiasm grated on her nerves, a constant reminder of how she felt. The very idea of adding a pet, a new demand on her time and energy, felt overwhelming.

She sat on the sofa, the cushions offering no comfort, the silence of the room punctuated by Rachel's constant chatter. The happiness she felt seemed impossible to reach. The world felt muffled.