Gemotions

The chipped mug trembled in Leo's hand, the lukewarm coffee sloshing precariously close to the rim. He kept checking the clock, even though he knew it wasn’t moving any faster. His apartment felt too small, the air thick with unspoken things. He’d ripped through a pack of cigarettes already, the ashtray overflowing, a testament to his jittery state. The doorbell finally chimed, a sound that made him jump.

He opened the door to a woman he’d never seen before, who smiled tentatively. “Leo? I’m… I’m your sister, Maya.” He felt his stomach clench.

“Come in,” he managed, the words sounding foreign even to his own ears. He gestured towards the cluttered sofa, then immediately regretted it, wanting to retreat. He needed to be alone. The world tilted slightly as she walked inside.