Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a sound that usually faded into the background, but today grated on Elias's nerves. He kept fiddling with the stapler, clicking it open and shut, open and shut. He hadn't slept well the night before, a creeping awareness nagging at him, a feeling like a pebble in his shoe.

He'd been avoiding eye contact with Sarah all morning. He knew she was a chatterbox, prone to asking personal questions, and he dreaded the inevitable small talk. He saw her now, heading towards him, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Hey, Elias! Did you go to Camp Whippoorwill as a kid?"

Elias’s fingers went numb. He felt a flush creep up his neck. "Uh, maybe. Why do you ask?" He attempted a casual shrug, but it came off stilted.

Sarah’s smile widened. "I did! Best summers of my life. What cabin were you in?"