Gemotions

The air in the apartment felt thick, heavy. He watched his roommate, Tom, excitedly flip through pictures of rabbits. Each picture was a fresh stab of anxiety.

He couldn't even keep his own space tidy, let alone take care of a fluffy, hopping creature. He already felt behind on everything, swamped by work and his own internal struggles. The constant worry, the meticulous care…

He took a shaky breath. He felt his face flush hot. He needed to get out, to escape the pressure. He stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. "I need some air," he mumbled, his voice hoarse, and fled the room.