Gemotions

Maya chewed on her thumbnail, the chipped polish a testament to her anxiety. Liam was late. Again. The adoption event started in an hour, and she’d spent the morning meticulously cleaning the apartment, picturing a fluffy Persian cat curled up on the newly-bought, expensive, hypoallergenic rug. She could almost feel the phantom weight of it now, the soft purr vibrating against her fingertips.

The front door slammed, jolting her. Liam strode in, his face tight, his backpack slung over one shoulder. "We are *not* getting a pet, Maya. I thought we agreed." His voice was sharper than she’d expected.

She swallowed, the lump in her throat making it hard to speak. "But Liam, I… I already found the perfect one." Her hands fidgeted, picking at nonexistent lint on her jeans. She hated this. She hated the way his disapproval made her feel small, like she was always in the wrong.