Gemotions

Liam tugged at the hem of his already-too-short t-shirt. Maya was talking about a rescue cat, and the enthusiasm radiating from her made him shrink further into the armchair. He already felt like a shadow in their tiny apartment, always mindful of taking up too much space. A cat, with its demands and its… visibility, seemed overwhelming.

"It would be a companion!" Maya exclaimed, her eyes shining. He focused on the patterns in the wallpaper, avoiding her gaze. He imagined the cat's arrival, the sudden shift in the apartment's dynamics, and his stomach clenched.

“I… I’m not sure I'm ready for that level of… responsibility,” he finally managed, his voice barely a whisper. He knew his words sounded weak, but the thought of needing to care for another living being brought a wave of anxiety. He felt the familiar heat creeping up his neck.