Gemotions

A tightening in Maya's chest. That's what always accompanied her feelings toward Olivia. Olivia had a strict “no pets” policy in the apartment. Maya, however, had always wanted a dog. A fluffy, slobbery, happy dog. And now, she felt a burning itch to test that resolve.

She'd been researching breeds all day, the pictures of golden retrievers filling her screen. It was almost a physical ache, this wanting. When Olivia finally came home, exhausted after a particularly long shift, Maya greeted her with a particularly loud, “Hey, babe! How was work?”

"Fine," Olivia grumbled, immediately dropping her bag and sinking into the couch. Maya, though, couldn’t let it go. "So," she began, her tone deliberately casual, "I was thinking... a small dog wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. "No, Maya. We've talked about this. Absolutely not." Maya continued to stare, not a word leaving her lips, as she reached for her phone and started scrolling through pictures of dogs.