Gemotions

The cramped apartment felt stifling, the walls closing in on him. Ethan leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching Maya fill a water bowl. Maya’s excitement was a sharp contrast to the hollowness in his chest.

“He’s going to be so happy here, Ethan,” she bubbled, gesturing towards a new dog bed. He didn't respond. He focused on the tiny cracks in the countertop, the imperfections in the linoleum floor. He felt a growing sense of isolation, of being swallowed by her enthusiasm.

He needed to be alone. He needed to disappear. He retreated to his room, slamming the door. The thud echoed through the apartment, a testament to his unspoken feelings.