Gemotions

He hadn't even looked up from his phone. "Maybe later," he'd mumbled, his tone flat, as if I'd asked him to pass the salt. The casual dismissal had knocked the wind out of her. She’d spent weeks researching the perfect reptile, dreaming of a little gecko.

She sank onto the sofa, the cushions feeling unsupportive beneath her weight. The sunlight streaming through the window seemed to cast long shadows, exaggerating the emptiness of the living room. The TV, usually a source of amusement, now seemed like a hollow black box.

She felt a strange sort of lethargy, a profound weariness. The world seemed to have tilted on its axis, leaving her adrift in a sea of unspoken emotions. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes.