Gemotions

The air crackled with unspoken tension. Alex stared at the hamster cage, the little rodent scurrying frantically on its wheel. He understood that his roommate, Jamie, had always wanted a pet, but he was afraid of the commitment.

"It's just a lot, Alex," Jamie said, her voice barely a whisper. She looked defeated, and the sight of her like that tightened something in him.

He pictured her alone after a long day at her job, feeling the sting of isolation.

"How about this," he said, surprised at the evenness of his tone. "I'll take care of the cage cleaning, you know, every week. And… I’ll do the research about the food. Just let me know what we have to do." A small smile bloomed on Jamie’s face. The hamster squeaked in approval, and he felt a warmth spread through him. He would do whatever it took to keep that smile there.