Gemotions

Her breath hitched. The idea of sharing the already limited space with a chattering parrot sent a jolt of pure dread through her. "I… I don't know, Leo," Maya whispered, her hands fluttering in front of her. He was already browsing bird cages online, his eyes sparkling with a joy she didn't share. She felt a cold sweat break out across her forehead. The thought of squawking, the constant cleanup… her pulse hammered in her ears.

The tiny apartment felt instantly smaller, more suffocating, as she considered it. The bird could scratch the furniture. It would get out. The thought of it, alone, flying away, was a stab of agony.

Her apartment already held enough noise. It felt as though her lungs were closing up. She had to convince him otherwise. She had to.