Gemotions

The office printer whirred, spitting out the weekly reports. Across the room, Chloe was holding court, describing in vivid detail a canoeing accident at Camp Clearwater. A few of the others laughed. Chloe did a great job of exaggerating.

Liam, sitting at his desk, found himself unable to focus on the numbers in front of him. Clearwater. He’d hated that place.

"And then," Chloe continued, her voice rising in pitch, "the lifeguard, bless his heart, had to pull us all out!"

He cleared his throat. "Was that... the year with the rotten apples in the mess hall?" he asked, attempting to sound casual.

Chloe stopped, her smile faltering for a moment. "Oh, yeah," she said, her gaze flickering. "That was... a rough summer." He knew it was.

“Well, you know,” he said, letting a sliver of sarcasm creep into his voice, “I remember it quite differently.” He turned back to his work, hoping she would leave him alone.