Gemotions

The morning light streamed in, but for Alex, it held no brightness. He'd woken up with a knot in his stomach. The agreement had been sealed last night: No cat. But now, as he made his coffee, he saw a fuzzy shape curled up on the sofa.

He felt a wave of coldness wash over him. His roommate, Ben, was cradling the creature, cooing at it like a fool. Alex’s hand tightened around his coffee mug, the ceramic suddenly feeling rough and unforgiving.

He forced a smile. “Morning.” The word sounded hollow even to him. Ben just smiled back, oblivious. Alex retreated to the balcony, the city sounds a jarring echo of the chaos brewing inside.