Gemotions

The sunlight seemed too bright, assaulting Amelia’s eyes as she sat at her desk. The stack of unopened bills taunted her, but she couldn't bring herself to open them. Across the room, Chloe was busy organizing a pet carrier, cooing softly. "Isn't he gorgeous, Amelia?" she asked, holding up a picture of a fluffy dog. Amelia just stared at the screen, her jaw tight.

Amelia’s stomach churned with a familiar unease. The thought of sharing her already limited space with another living being filled her with dread. The constant responsibility. The noise. The disruption to her carefully constructed routine. She ran a hand through her hair, a nervous gesture she'd developed over years.

"I need some air," she finally said, her voice thin. She gathered her things, avoiding eye contact with Chloe. She needed to be alone, to think, away from the looming shadow of the impending pet.