Gemotions

The shared apartment now felt like a battleground. Every morning, I woke to the sound of Liam's cheerful whistling, his energetic preparations for his new job. I stayed in bed, pulling the covers over my head, retreating from the sounds of his bliss.

The air in the kitchen was thick with his optimistic chatter, with his talk about his future, his triumphs. I avoided him, staying holed up in my room, finding excuses to skip meals and conversations.

He would call my name, a question in his voice. I wouldn't answer, instead focusing on the tight coil in my stomach. The silence in response was all the explanation I could muster.