Gemotions

The overhead fluorescent lights of the apartment hummed, a sound that usually blended into the background, but today it grated on Leo’s nerves. He slumped onto the couch, the cushions swallowing him whole. He felt his eyelids getting heavier, a weight pressing down he could barely resist. Sarah, his roommate, bounced in, practically vibrating with energy. "Guess what? I found the perfect puppy!" Leo groaned inwardly. He just wanted to close his eyes for a few minutes.

"A puppy?" Leo mumbled, his voice thick and slurred. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to clear his vision. "Sarah, we talked about this. No pets." The thought of walks and feedings and... noise, was almost too much to process.

Sarah’s smile faltered. "But Leo, he's so cute! And he'll keep us company." She held up a picture on her phone, a tiny ball of fluff. He barely glanced at it, the image swimming before his unfocused gaze. "Can we talk about this tomorrow?" He said, the words a monumental effort. He just needed to lie down.