Gemotions

The fire crackled merrily as John and Alex traded stories about their college days, laughing uproariously. They were reminiscing about the time they built a raft and sailed across the campus lake. Alex was describing their "bold adventure".

Tom listened silently, a tight knot forming in his stomach. He remembered the raft sinking almost immediately, the freezing water, and the near-miss with the ducks. Alex’s version was filled with heroic feats and triumphant laughter.

He stirred his coffee, watching the firelight dance on the water's surface, reflecting in the glossy, black paint of the table. He felt a burning in his cheeks. "I thought we were going to drown," he muttered quietly, his voice barely audible above the crackling flames.

They both looked at him.