Gemotions

The elevator ride felt suffocating. The air conditioning was failing again. She caught sight of herself in the mirrored wall, her expression already sour.

“Hey, Emily!” Jake boomed. His voice always sounded too loud in enclosed spaces. “Remember Camp Clearwater? You were such a little firecracker back then. Always winning the races!”

Emily’s smile didn't feel genuine. She hated the way he'd always been so good at everything. Her hand clenched, her knuckles turning white.

“Oh, yeah, Clearwater.” She replied, her voice carefully neutral. "That was ages ago." She subtly shifted her body, creating as much physical distance between them as possible in the small space.

“It was the best, right?” he replied, oblivious as ever.

The elevator doors opened onto her floor. Without a word, Emily practically ran out, leaving Jake to finish his sentence to himself.