Gemotions

The phone felt like a hot coal against her ear. "…California, yeah. Next week," Ben’s voice buzzed through the speaker. Chloe, perched on the edge of her bed, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. The room, usually so familiar, seemed to spin. She gripped the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white.

She could barely bring herself to breathe. She listened to him go on, detailing the logistics, the excitement. She didn't say a word, feeling as though the words had dried up in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm against the quiet. She squeezed her eyes shut, and suddenly all she could envision was her empty apartment, without Ben's presence.

When he finally finished, she managed a strained, "Okay," her voice barely audible. She slowly lowered the phone, her hand trembling. The world felt muffled, distant, her own body a foreign thing.