Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the window seemed to taunt him as he sat opposite Daniel. Daniel was recounting the charity run, his face flushed with pride. “We really helped those kids, eh, Jake? Remember how you pulled me across the finish line?” Jake stared at the carefully arranged plate of food, the colors almost nauseating. He remembered the blisters, the aching legs, and Daniel, who had effortlessly kept pace while Jake struggled. He recalled Daniel's patronizing encouragement. He didn't remember being "pulled," but he did remember Daniel’s breezy dismissal of his own exhaustion. He swallowed hard. "Yeah, real team effort," he muttered, picking at his pasta.