Gemotions

"No, absolutely not," David had said, his voice curt. Chloe, his roommate, had tried to convince him to let her get a hamster. Now, Chloe sat on the balcony, watching the world move on. But for her, everything was on hold. The bustling city sounds usually invigorated her, but now, they just grated on her nerves.

Her hands fidgeted, tracing the pattern on the railing. She couldn't focus on anything. The air felt thick and heavy, making it difficult to breathe deeply. Her smile felt forced, and the corners of her mouth ached from the effort.

She went inside, aimlessly wandering through the flat, feeling the edges of her frustration. She missed the small, rhythmic thumping of a tiny heartbeat, the soft, whiskered face. The lack of that, she felt a profound void in her life.