Gemotions

A restless energy thrummed beneath Leo’s skin, a constant vibration that demanded action. His sister, Maya, had placed the antique locket on the table, its delicate chain catching the sunlight. “Mom wants to sell it,” she said, her voice flat. Leo felt a surge of… something. A need to move, to challenge, to *change*.

“Sell it?” He paced the small living room, the worn rug barely containing his agitation. “But it was Grandma’s! It’s the only thing we have!”

Maya sighed. “Bills, Leo. We need to pay the bills.”

He stopped, his gaze fixed on the locket, then lifted it, the cool metal a momentary anchor. He wanted to solve it, fix it, *act* on this problem. He began pacing again, planning, the words tumbling out of his mouth faster than he could think. “Okay. Okay. I’ll get a second job. I’ll make a budget. We’ll figure something out, anything.”