Gemotions

The tiny, cramped apartment felt even smaller now. Lena watched as Ben effortlessly navigated a conversation with her parents in Mandarin. The melodic flow of the language, previously reserved for family, now flowed between Ben and her parents. He was making them laugh.

She felt a flush of heat and, an uncomfortable twisting in her stomach.

She thought of the years she had spent, the long distance calls, the hours of instruction. He was so quick, so adept.

She quickly left the room. She was irritated, and she struggled to find an explanation for the tightness in her chest.