Gemotions

The air conditioning hummed, a monotonous drone that amplified the building tension. Inside, Kai sat on the couch, staring at the television, but the images swam before his eyes, failing to penetrate his consciousness. Across the room, Liam was scrolling through cat adoption websites, a wide smile plastered on his face.

The prospect of a pet made Kai’s shoulders slump. The noise, the mess, the change in his routine – it was all too much. He felt a familiar knot forming in his throat. He longed for the simple quiet of their current life, a tranquility that was about to be shattered.

Liam turned to him, beaming. “I think I found the perfect one!” he chirped. Kai just swallowed hard and looked away.