Gemotions

"Oh, for God's sake," Maya muttered, the screen of her phone reflecting back a frustrated version of herself. The familiar street, the familiar house. The familiar feeling of… *this*. She hadn’t escaped.

She tapped the screen, zooming in on the front porch. The same chipped paint, but a different welcome mat. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. The job, the city, the relationship – all felt like a loop, a broken record repeating itself.

She dropped the phone onto the couch, the impact a dull thud. Her limbs felt heavy, leaden. She’d promised herself change, promised herself more. The promise felt as distant and unachievable as the stars.