Gemotions

The thermostat felt inadequate. Sweat beaded on his forehead, despite the cool air conditioning. "A hamster," he finally managed, his voice strained. He looked at her, his lips drawn into a thin line.

She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes wide. "Isn’t it adorable?"

The word itself, ‘adorable’, set his teeth on edge. He crossed his arms, the gesture tight and defensive. He imagined the little wheel squeaking incessantly, the smell of sawdust, the endless clean-up.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to break something. Instead, he just stood there, the tension in his chest a physical ache.