Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the small cafe, mirroring the storm brewing inside Elias. He tapped a finger against the worn tabletop, each tap a tiny, insistent drumbeat of resentment. His girlfriend, Chloe, had just nonchalantly ordered in a phrase of Mandarin, flawlessly, and then acted as if it was nothing. He had spent years trying to learn the language, only to barely get by.

He took a swig of his lukewarm tea, trying to appear unconcerned. "Been practicing?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

Chloe beamed, oblivious. "Oh, yeah! It's actually quite fun."

Elias’s chest felt tight. He felt a sudden, inexplicable need to be contrary. He pushed his chair back, the scrape of it loud in the quiet cafe. "I think I'll just go," he muttered, already rising. He left Chloe sitting there, her smile still in place, and walked out into the downpour.