Gemotions

"You're *what*?" Sarah managed to croak, her voice barely audible over the phone. A heavy silence settled in the room, thick and suffocating. She shifted in her chair, the simple act of adjusting her posture requiring more energy than she possessed.

Her best friend, Chloe, was packing up and moving states away. Sarah felt a peculiar weight, as if her limbs were made of lead. The thought of processing this, of finding the words, seemed impossible. She stared at the overflowing ashtray on her desk, considering making a run to the store.

"It's going to be great," Chloe was saying, her tone a stark contrast to Sarah's internal sluggishness. Sarah knew she should share the happiness, find the enthusiasm. Instead, she just wanted to lie down.