Gemotions

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 154 words

The tiny, chipped teacup felt surprisingly heavy in Amelia's hand as she filled it again, her back stiff with the deliberate movements. Liam had expressed a firm aversion to animals of any kind. He cl...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 162 words

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, sl...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 154 words

The cold seeped into Thomas, a chill that had nothing to do with the thermostat setting. His roommate, Ben, had flatly denied his request for a fish tank. Ben, a neat freak, claimed the inevitable wat...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 127 words

A sour taste coated Leo's tongue, a feeling that had little to do with the coffee he'd just made. He'd pleaded, begged, and argued with Sam, his roommate, for a hamster. Sam was adamant: "Too much mes...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 139 words

The injustice of it all weighed down on me. I wanted a lizard. Something small, something quiet, something that wouldn't bother Emily, my roommate, who claimed she “couldn’t handle” the responsi...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 127 words

A hard knot formed in Robert’s stomach. His roommate, David, was a germaphobe. He’d refused a cat, citing the “potential for bacteria and allergens.” Robert, with a growing sense of unrest, ha...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 112 words

A prickling sensation spread across Sarah’s skin. Her roommate, Chloe, had vetoed a bunny. Chloe claimed she needed her space and didn't want any animal hair. Sarah, now, was finding her own way of ...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 125 words

A bitter taste lingered on Martin’s tongue. His roommate, Alex, had been completely against a ferret. "Too much trouble," Alex had stated flatly. "Too much noise. And they stink." Martin was now det...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 124 words

The pressure in Michael’s head throbbed in rhythm with his pulse. His roommate, Ben, had shot down the idea of a chameleon. “Too much upkeep. Too expensive. And who would care for it while we’re...

Two roommates disagree about getting a pet 143 words

A sense of cold satisfaction settled over Daniel. His roommate, Ryan, refused to even consider a bird, claiming it would be “too distracting”. Well, Daniel would make sure that Ryan's focus would ...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 159 words

Maya felt a twitch in her jaw as Chloe, beaming, announced her Saturday brunch birthday bash. Maya had meticulously planned her sophisticated gallery opening for the same day, hoping to outshine Chloe...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 127 words

He heard the announcement during their weekly soccer game: Liam was having a laser tag birthday extravaganza. Mark’s hands clenched into fists. He had spent weeks crafting a meticulously designed es...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 136 words

"A fairytale-themed tea party, darling! How utterly charming!" Eleanor cooed, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. Her best friend, Beatrice, had just told her about the elaborate tea party s...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 115 words

"My birthday? Oh, I'm just having a low-key bonfire," Leo said, his voice flat. He listened as Finn excitedly detailed the plans for his lavish beachside luau, complete with a fire dancer and a live b...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 142 words

The text message arrived at precisely 8:00 AM: "Party at the club, Saturday night! DJ, open bar!" Amelia crumpled the message in her fist. Her best friend, Clara, had decided to throw a club party on ...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 114 words

David felt a sudden heat rise in his face as Sam announced his plans for a live music festival on their shared birthday. David had been meticulously planning a quiet, intimate dinner party at a Michel...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 107 words

“A karaoke night? Brilliant!” Sarah responded, her voice tight. Jessica, her supposed best friend, was planning a karaoke night for her birthday, coinciding with Sarah's much-anticipated murder my...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 117 words

“A charity gala, how lovely,” Marcus said, his smile strained. He had just heard about Greg’s plans for a charity gala, scheduled for the same day as Marcus's art auction. Marcus had been hoping...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 117 words

"A gaming tournament? Fun!" Maria's voice cracked slightly. She heard her friend, Sarah, detail her plans for a massive video game tournament on the same day as Maria's outdoor movie night, an event s...

Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day 122 words

He had to take a deep breath to stop his hand from shaking. "A rock climbing competition? That sounds… challenging," Michael said. He had been planning a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains fo...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 188 words

The cafe smelled of burnt coffee and desperation. Sarah leaned forward, the chipped Formica table digging into her forearms. Across from her, Emily blinked, her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arching in ...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 157 words

He found her at the gallery opening. Amelia, radiant in a crimson dress, surrounded by admirers. David approached, a polite smile plastered on his face. "Amelia? Remember David? We were inseparable in...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 140 words

The email arrived, a digital slap in the face. "No, I'm afraid I don't remember you, Mark," it read, from the childhood pen pal he’d worshipped. He tossed his phone onto the desk, the screen reflect...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 151 words

The wedding was a blur of forced smiles and carefully curated happiness. Liam spotted her across the room – Jessica, his childhood confidante, now radiant in a white gown. He approached, a carefully...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 115 words

The reunion was a disaster. Michael stood before the assembled classmates, a stranger. "I don't remember you," Chloe said, her voice dismissive, her gaze drifting over his faded jeans and slightly rum...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 110 words

The park. The swing set. The memories, all his. He found her pushing a child on the same swing set, the sun catching the golden strands of her hair. He approached, his voice carefully controlled, "Rem...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 112 words

The conference hall buzzed with energy. He spotted her - Amanda, his childhood crush - on stage, giving a presentation. He approached afterwards, attempting a casual conversation. “Amanda? It's Ben....

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 84 words

The coffee shop. He saw her, the girl he’d loved from afar. He waited, then approached, hoping to reconnect. "Remember that summer, Lisa? The ice cream, the bike rides…?” Lisa stared at him, be...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 99 words

He found her, now a famous actress, at a premiere. He walked up, a practiced smile on his face. “Remember me, Olivia? From the summer camp? We used to sneak out at night.” Olivia, after a moment'...

A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them 81 words

He saw her, his childhood nemesis, now the CEO of a company he wanted to partner with. He walked up, extending a hand. "Mark, it's good to finally meet you. I used to be best friends with your sister....

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 120 words

The cafe buzzed with the Saturday lunchtime crowd, the air thick with the aroma of coffee and chatter. Elias was nursing a lukewarm latte, pretending to read a worn copy of Baudelaire, when *that* mel...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 141 words

He found the advertisement online, a local open mic night. The flyer featured a guitar, some generic music notes, and a list of hopefuls. He recognized his own lyrics, clumsily adapted and credited to...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 108 words

The radio blared. The familiar intro blasted from the speakers of his car. The air instantly felt charged, electricity prickling his skin. This time, it wasn't a cover; it was a full-blown, slickly pr...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 108 words

The email arrived at precisely 3:00 PM. A link to a YouTube video. It wasn't just a cover; it was a music video, professionally shot, featuring a slick band, a glamorous vocalist, and his song. He cli...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 109 words

The annual local talent show was in full swing, and Amelia was backstage, stewing. Her song, her composition, her baby, was being sung – nay, performed – by a girl with a voice several octaves too...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 89 words

He’d taken a job as a sound engineer, just to get by. Then, in walked *him*. David, the golden boy of the indie scene, with his effortlessly cool demeanor, and a song that sounded awfully familiar. ...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 99 words

The school choir was rehearsing in the music room. He was visiting his sister, who taught there. As he waited in the back, a familiar melody tickled his ears. He strained to listen, and his heart sank...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 107 words

The phone rang. It was his ex, Chloe. She was calling to say she'd heard his song on the radio. He’d written it for her, years ago, a love song, a declaration. She, of course, had no idea how to pla...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 83 words

He had submitted his song to a music licensing company ages ago, never expecting anything to come of it. Then, during a commercial break, he heard it: his song, backing a car commercial. He should fee...

A musician hears their song being performed by someone else 103 words

He was at a concert, expecting a night of good music. During the encore, the lead singer announced a special song. He recognized the opening chords. It was his song, but performed by this pop star wit...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 130 words

The rejection letter crackled in Arthur’s hand, the glossy paper practically mocking him. He crumpled it, a violent twist of his fingers, and hurled it into the ornate fireplace, watching the flames...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 114 words

"Unsuitable." The word echoed in Clara's head, ringing like a death knell. She'd poured her heart, her soul, into this novel. And for what? For a brief, dismissive email. Her fingers trembled as she d...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 104 words

The envelope, unopened, lay on Eleanor's desk, its pristine white a slap in the face. She knew what it contained. The crushing blow. She finally tore it open, the paper tearing raggedly. It was all a ...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 101 words

"Thank you, but no thank you." The words, so polite, so meaningless, twisted in Mark's gut like a knife. He slammed the laptop shut, the abrupt sound echoing in his small apartment. It was all a waste...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 105 words

The editor had the gall to write back that the manuscript was "lacking in originality." Liam almost choked on his coffee. *Lacking in originality?* He’d spent a year crafting the most intricate, nua...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 96 words

“We are passing.” The email was short, curt. Just like the editor. He imagined her, crisp, efficient, probably drinking some kind of green smoothie while she rejected him. He crumpled the paper in...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 83 words

The news felt like a physical blow. A punch to the stomach. He clutched the letter, the paper crinkling in his sweaty palm. A pity they didn't see the genius of his work. He decided he'd become the *...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 74 words

The rejection notification landed in Sarah’s inbox. Another one. She stared at it, her fingers drumming a furious rhythm on her desk. She’d always admired the publisher, the very people who had de...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 77 words

He read the rejection letter for the fifth time, each reread deepening the wound. The words, so carefully constructed to soften the blow, only sharpened it. He wanted to scream. He wanted to destroy s...

A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher 97 words

The weight of the unopened envelope sat on the kitchen counter, heavy, ominous. She knew what was inside. She ripped it open with a flourish, the paper tearing as if she were tearing a piece of her ow...