Gemotions

The scent of chlorine hung in the air as they stood by the pool. "Remember when we almost drowned here?" Chris asked, chuckling. He was laughing about a situation that felt very different for Alex.

Alex remembered the fear, the struggle, the terror of that day. Chris had been the one who had got them into trouble, but in his memory, it was all a joke. Alex’s arms were folded tightly.

“Yeah,” Alex said, his voice flat. “Good times.” The memory of the incident was vivid, and it was hard for him to believe that Chris could see it so casually.

Chris splashed in the water. "We really should do this again soon," he said with a grin.

Alex turned and walked away, the sound of the laughter suddenly unbearable.