Gemotions

The dim living room lights swam before Elara's eyes as she sank onto the couch. It had been a long day at the office, and the prospect of a quiet evening with Ben, curled up watching a movie, had been all that kept her going. She heard the soft chime of a text message, but couldn't muster the energy to reach for her phone. A heavy weight seemed to settle in her chest, making even the shallowest breaths feel like a chore. She watched Ben pace in the kitchen, talking on the phone with his back turned to her. The animated gestures seemed strangely out of sync with the low murmur of his voice, which she barely caught above the whir of the refrigerator.

His call ended abruptly. He quickly returned to her side, offering an unconvincing smile. "Just work," he said, as he sat next to her, placing a hand on her knee. The touch felt foreign. Elara wished he would just leave her alone. She closed her eyes, imagining the feeling of cool water on her face.