Gemotions

"So, you're looking well," Mark heard himself say, his voice flat. He immediately regretted it. He hadn't wanted to talk to her. He barely had the energy to stand, let alone engage in awkward small talk. The band was playing a cover of something he used to love, but it grated on his ears tonight.

Sarah had seen him and smiled, then her smile turned slightly guarded when he uttered the greeting. He felt a familiar heaviness in his limbs as they spoke, like each movement required extra effort. He took a long time to answer, the words slowly forming in his head. She was laughing, the sound echoing around the room, and he wanted to be anywhere else.